Christ the Living Word

Background Scripture: John 1:1-34; 1 John 1:1-10
Lesson Scripture: John 1:1-14

Introduction

The Gospel of John is primarily the source of our study this quarter. The book of John is distinctly different from the other three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These three are often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because they share the same basic outline and content. The Synoptics declare what Jesus did, while John tells us who Jesus is, often giving insight into Jesus’s divinity, his character, and nature.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus is twice called God (John 1:1; 20:28) and equated with the Father four times (5:18; 10:30; 14:9; 16:27). He is called the [begotten] Son of God ten times (1:14, 18, 34, 49; 3:16, 18; 6:69; 9:35; 10:36; 11:27), and the expression “I am” is used many times, unmistakably connecting Him to the God who spoke to Moses (Exod. 3:14). He says, “I am” the Messiah (4:25-26), the Bread of Life (6:35, 41, 48, 51), the Light of the World (8:12; 9:5; 12:46), the Door (10:7, 9), the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14), the Resurrection and the Life (11:25), the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6), and the True Vine (15:1, 5). The two most remarkable statements were, “Before Abraham was, I am” (8:58), and simply, “I am He” (18:5, 8).

The calling of Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael, the healing of a man born blind, the rescue of an adulterous woman, and feet washing are among those accounts that are unique to the book of John.

These lessons, in one form or another, deal directly with topics relating to Christ Himself. Also included are teachings founded predominantly in the Gospel of John but supported by the burden of Scripture as a whole. As we make the study of Jesus personal this quarter, we can be transported through the words of John to see and know Jesus as He really is.

Wonderful Jesus! Let us worship Him while we share together in Sunday school.

Christ the Living Word

Lesson 1

December 5, 2021

Background Scripture: John 1:1-34; 1 John 1:1-10

Lesson Scripture: John 1:1-14

Introduction

The Bible is a record of God’s spoken word as He spoke through the prophets of old and then by his son, Jesus Christ. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Heb. 1:1-2). Among the different titles given to Jesus, John calls Him the Word. Though separate, Jesus Christ the Word and God’s spoken word are inseparably united, changeless, and eternal. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8). “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89). Both reveal to us the Father.

In his great expression of love, God sent Jesus, his only begotten son, into the world to pay the penalty for sin and open the way for God to extend mercy and forgiveness to those who will come to Him.

Our lesson today focuses on Christ, the Living Word.

Key Verse

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

At the advent of Christ, the Jews knew the account of creation and their history from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan to Abraham’s posterity in Egypt. They were aware of the wilderness trip to Canaan, the Law, and the history of the Israelite kings and prophets. The Jews knew God as holy and omnipotent and as a God to be respected and feared. Their perception of God was embodied in that which was handed down to them in a written document, not as a living entity.

John was sent to prepare the people. He was as a watchman at night proclaiming that the day was soon dawning. God was using a man, a priest’s son, to introduce a new dispensation. John exhorted the people to look at their hearts, their works, and their attitudes and to prepare for what God was ready to do.

The coming of Jesus brought a new dispensation. Though they were looking for a redeemer, it required faith to believe in the way God was revealing Himself. To many, it must have seemed implausible that God would appear in human flesh and not as a ruler coming onto the world’s political stage.

In the throngs of people hearing the words of life, there were some honest seekers. To these, Jesus’s message brought hope, healing, and light. Multitudes were drawn to Him by an inner longing of their heart that recognized Him as life and light. The more they heard Him speak and observed his miracles, the more they were convinced that this was the Son of God.

Others were hoping Jesus would deliver them from the Roman oppression. He came rather to set them free in soul and spirit, and understandably, they struggled to understand this. Jesus looked so natural, so like an ordinary man, that at times He blended into the crowd so completely that his enemies could not locate Him.

Practical Truths for Today

The birth of Jesus was accompanied by a display of light. The glory of the Lord shone upon the shepherds as the night sky became brilliant with shining angels. The wise men observed a star bright and clear enough to guide them. Simeon prophesied that Jesus would be a Light to the gentiles. The coming of Jesus shed light on the Old Testament and brought to life the historic account, the Law, Psalms, and writings of the prophets.

We have the written Word, the Bible, in which God expresses who He is. Jesus was God’s expression of love to fallen man. Christ embodied the will of God as a living, breathing Man. He came to earth as a baby and lived a short but complete life.

The spiritual-living aspect of the life of Christ is that He continues to give us, through his Word, spiritual life. Through faith we can be partakers of his life and see Jesus as the Word dwelling in the earth today. Even though we do not experience Jesus in person like the disciples did, we know He is living today as we feel his love and are warmed by the light He sheds on our lives. Light illuminates the path to God and reveals our walk of life to us as God sees it. Light points to the cross where our sins are forgiven. Light and darkness do not abide together, and when we repent and forsake sin, darkness flees.

In the natural world there is a connection between light and life. Light alone does not give life. The light of God’s word condemns sin and promises power and deliverance to those who receive Christ. Jesus Christ the living Word gives life. Christ offered Himself in a sinless body to save us. We must walk in the light of God’s Word to nourish and cherish the new life Christ has imparted to us. Christ promised, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). Even though our soul is housed in our depraved, sinful flesh, the Word provides life when it dwells within. Just as the Word teaches us that Jesus suffered in the flesh, likewise we need to crucify and deny our flesh for the honor and glory of God. The power of the Word that delivered us from our sin also divides between right and wrong and between spirituality and carnality.

As we meditate on the life of Jesus, we can see the love He had for the souls of mankind, which compelled Him to be willing to suffer the cruelty of rejection, betrayal, shame, and torture of the cross. We wonder, what was glorious about it? His resurrection was glorious! This also is how we as sons of God portray the glory of Christ when we forsake the world, crucify our flesh, and rise above the evils and temptations of our day. We thankfully and joyously can live our life to honor our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Humanity has the inescapable need to worship, and the majority of people in this world realize that there is a higher power. Often the concept of a higher power is something to be feared. Others just make an acknowledgement of an inner insecurity. The experience of Jesus as a personal Friend and Savior eludes many, either through ignorance or unwillingness. Satan promotes the theory that we are sufficient of ourselves and can manage our own life. That is the darkness that does not want to comprehend the light. According to Scripture, however, every man at some time in life receives a glimpse of the true light.

How can we come to know the Word more intimately? In a natural sense, we find fulfillment in communicating with those we love. When our hearts are filled with love toward God, we desire to know his will. Reading the Word reveals his will to us, and God is able to communicate with us through the living power of the Word. Often after a prayer in which we have poured out our heart’s contents to God, reading the Word will give direction, comfort, and light. Sometimes just spending time reading the Bible causes us to feel closer to God. There are many devotional books which may be inspiring, but nothing compares to reading a passage of Scripture and meditating on it. By reading Bible helps, study guides, and devotional books, we are presented with someone’s opinion, inspiration, or impression. But it is a gift and a fruit of the Holy Spirit when a Scripture impresses us in a personal way.

We need to approach the Word with reverence and an air of expectancy, knowing we will be fed. Sometimes reading the Bible might require personal preparation such as we do for a church service. Some caution may be needed at times to not feel bound or compelled to read the Bible. Rather, as we hunger and thirst for communion with Christ, we are fed by the Word.

We have an opportunity, somewhat like John the Baptist, to introduce Jesus to the world. When people observe humility, sincerity, and peace in our being, it gives an opportunity to tell them of the faith and hope we have in Jesus.

Another attribute of great importance is to love others. We must first love the souls of men before we can point them to Christ. An interest in others and a heart of compassion along with a listening ear can first open a heart to hear a word from the Lord. Love is a key that will unlock hard hearts, touch broken spirits, and cause people to look to Jesus, the One who fills our hearts with love. Each sinner who repents and receives life from Christ radiates the glory of God.

Illustration

A young man grew up in a godless home where he only heard the word God as a swear word. Being an only child and having the financial means, he tried the different vices of the world. Nothing satisfied him, and the futility of life became so depressing that there was no purpose or future in his life.

One day somebody gave him a Bible. Ready for anything, he began to read it. After some days he met a friend who commented, “You are different; what happened?” His testimony was that he was reading the Bible. Without anyone to instruct him, he realized his need of salvation. Through the Word he received direction for right and wrong in his life. Often being far removed from other Christians, the Word feeds and sustains him. This is an example of the power of the Word.

Questions

1. How can we, like John the Baptist, help people prepare their hearts to receive the Word?
2. Should we be making it more of a priority to commit the Scripture to memory?
3. Explain how Christ became the living Word.
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).