"Learn From Me" - Part 1 (John 1:1-18)

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offered a two-fold invitation. First, Jesus offered rest. But Jesus also offered an opportunity to learn of Him (KJV) or from Him (NKJV). We want to learn "of" or about Jesus. We also want to learn "from" Him. Over the next several weeks, we're going to look at several passages in an effort to do just that.

This week, let's consider John 1:1-18. There is much to learn both "of" and "from" Jesus in this passage.

Jesus is the Word

1. Jesus is the Word in Eternity (vv. 1-2). Jesus existed in the beginning, not because He was created, but because He has always existed. Jesus is God. Therefore, like the Father, Jesus is eternal.
2. Jesus is the Word in Creation (v. 3). Again we see that Jesus is not a created being. Colossians 1:16 tells us that "by Him," "through Him," and "for Him" were all things created. Jesus was present during the creation. Not only was He present, but John 1:3 indicates that He was active in creating the world.
3. Jesus is the Word in the Flesh (v. 14). Jesus had a real body. He was tired, hungry and thirsty. He felt pain. Jesus had desires and emotions. Jesus was tempted just like we are. Jesus was God, but Jesus also became man.

Jesus is the Light

1. Jesus is the True Light (v. 9). Any light besides the True Light is merely a copy. Other lights (the Law of Moses, John the Baptist) were not perfect. They were only pointing to the True Light--Jesus Christ. Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy concerning the Messiah. 
2. Jesus gives light to the world (v. 9). It's interesting (and sad) that His own people rejected Him (v. 11). They heard what He said and saw what He did, but they refused Him anyway. The good news is that Jesus came to give light to all--Jews and Gentiles. The Light is still shining! It's shining for you and for me.

Jesus has grace and truth

1. Grace (v. 17). God's Riches At Christ's Expense is a common acrostic for grace. Grace is unmerited favor. Grace is getting something that you in no way deserve.
2. Truth (v. 17). Jesus said that God's word is truth (John 17:17). The truth is fixed. The truth is absolute. There is no avoiding and no denying the truth.
3. Grace and truth (v. 17). Jesus brought the fullness of grace & truth and these two things go together. God's truth is available and so is His grace. You can't have one without the other. Grace without truth would be worthless and truth without grace would be dooming. Thankfully, Jesus brought both!

Jesus is God's Son

1. Jesus is the Only Begotten (v. 18). That phrase, "only begotten," refers to something being the only one of its kind. Near the end of his gospel, John states that his reason for writing was that his readers would believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:31). Some nine times throughout the book, John refers to Jesus as the Son of God. Some nineteen times He is called "the Son." Jesus is the Son of God, but He is also God the Son.
2. Jesus declares His Father (v. 18). God is invisible (1 Timothy 1:17). We can see God revealed in nature (Romans 1:20), but we cannot see God Himself. John tells us that Jesus reveals God to us. Literally, He explains, unfolds, and leads the way to God. 

There is much more to glean from this passage, but hopefully this brief outline has whet your appetite for further study. Why is it important to learn about Jesus? Why is it important to learn from Jesus? It's important because without knowing the Son, we cannot know the Father (John 8:19)!

Do you know Jesus? 

Or more importantly:

Does Jesus know you? -- Matthew 7:21-23