In the beginning the Word already existed. (NLT, John 1:1)No doubt John is being intentional when he launches his Gospel with the same words the writer of Genesis uses to describe the creation of the world: In the beginning.... Genesis tells the story of creation, while John tells the story of new creation.
On January 1st we focused on God as Beginning. On December 31st we will focus on God as End. But we know before there was a beginning, God already was. And after things come to an end, God will still be. He is, always has been and always will be, I AM.
John writes that the Word who was present with God and who was God at the very beginning, became incarnate and lived with us for a time. But even though he created us, we didn't recognize him. It reminds me of the old Christmas lyric: Please, suh, forgive us, Lawd; we didn't know it was you. [1]
He created us, but we did not recognize him; we belonged to him, but we rejected his ownership over us. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (1:12).
Genesis tells the story of creation; John tells the story of re-creation. Genesis is about humanity's beginning; John is about new beginnings. Genesis: birth; John: re-birth.
Do you recognize Jesus as the giver of life and as the giver of new life?
[1] Sweet Little Jesus Boy. W/M: Robert MacGimsey. (C) 1934.
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