Today, we’ll begin our time together in John’s Gospel. John’s Gospel has a very specific purpose for us. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke answer the “who, what, when, and where” questions, John answers the “why.” He is showing us “why” Jesus came, and his entire Gospel is written, as we see at the end of chapter 20, so that we may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. We’ll begin our time together in John’s Gospel by looking at his Christmas story, and it looks very different from the others we see in the Bible.

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Good morning! It’s wonderful to be back with you all after some time away, as I was out preaching a revival last week. I’m excited to restart our daily study, “Rooted in Christ,” and welcome any new friends who are joining us. I hope you find this journey through the Word enriching and uplifting.

As we finished the Minor Prophets a few weeks ago, we are now transitioning into the New Testament. Today, we’re diving into the Gospel of John. We’ve previously explored some of Paul’s letters and spent considerable time in the Minor Prophets, so I thought it would be refreshing to study a gospel. Specifically, we’ll delve into John, a unique and profound gospel that differs significantly from the synoptic gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

The first three gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are known as the synoptic gospels because they share a similar structure, content, and order. They answer the “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where” of Jesus’ life. Each has its emphasis: Matthew focuses on the Jewish aspects, Luke emphasizes Jesus’ outreach to Gentiles, and Mark is fast-paced and direct.

John’s Gospel, however, is distinct in its approach. It doesn’t follow the same narrative structure as the synoptics. Instead, John focuses on the “why” behind the events of Jesus’ life. John himself states the purpose of his gospel in John 20:30-31, saying, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” John’s goal is to convince readers of Jesus’ divine nature and the eternal life found in Him.

Let’s begin by reading John’s “Christmas story,” found in John 1:1-18. This passage is unique because it presents the Incarnation from a cosmic perspective, not focusing on the nativity details like shepherds or wise men, but rather on the profound theological truths of Jesus’ divinity and incarnation.

In these verses, John introduces us to Jesus as the “Word” (Greek: Logos). This term Logos is more than just a “word” as we think of it; it represents the very essence and nature of God. Jesus, as the Word, embodies God’s creative power, wisdom, and ultimate self-revelation. He was with God in the beginning and is God, emphasizing the preexistence and divinity of Jesus.

Verse 14 captures the essence of the Incarnation: “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” This is the cornerstone of Christian faith—God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. John’s Christmas story isn’t about the manger scene; it’s about the cosmic reality of God entering into human history.

We’ll continue unpacking this rich passage tomorrow. For now, reflect on the profound truth that Jesus, the eternal Word, became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing God’s glory, grace, and truth. This foundational truth shapes our understanding of who Jesus is and why He came.

Have a blessed day, and I look forward to continuing this journey through the Gospel of John with you tomorrow. See you then!