#Introductions

Seeing something for the first time, being introduced to something or someone for the first time in a captivating way is very intresting to us as people. 

I remember being introduced to my first college football game. The sights, sounds, smells - everything about it had me hooked. I remember reading books where I could almost literally not put them down. From the first sentence I was captivated. I remember friends that I've met over the years, and when I met them for the first time. I remember the moment when I was introduced to my wife. 

Introductions facinate us. That's why John chapter 1 is so compelling. It must have certainly struck the first readers of his Gospel, but yet 2000 years later it still speaks to us and is compelling as ever. 

**In these opening verses, John explains the relationship of Christ to God.** He uses the word "Word." *In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God*. Jesus is God, but yet seperate. He still has a relationship with the Father. Sometimes we forget that Jesus was tempted in all manners as we were.  The book of Hebrews says that we do not have a high priest (that is, Jesus) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, for Jesus was tempted in every manner that we were. How amazing is that? A man, given to the same feelings, passions, and temptations lived a sinless life and died so that we might live a sinless life. Jesus is *deity*, meaning He is divine and Godly in nature. He was like us on this earth, but He's not like us now. Jesus exists with His father in heaven. If we live faithfully, we can too. 

**John also shows us his relationship with creation.** In verses 3-4 he tells us that *all things were created by him.* This idea is magnified in so many other passages - Ephesians 3.9, Colossians 1.16, and Hebrews 1.2. Jesus was there, at the beginning, with God at the formation of the universe. He was there when Adam and Eve sinned and were thrown out of the garden, Jesus was there when Noah gathered up his family on the Ark and they watched water destroy the world. Jesus was there, right beside God, when David sinned. Sometimes we forget that the entire Bible points to Jesus. We forget that evidence of Jesus can be found in multiple places hundreds of years before he physically walked the earth. We forget that nothing has come into existence without Jesus. Jesus is eternal, the source of life itself.  

**Lastly, John shows us Jesus' relationship to us.** In verse 4-5, John describes Him as *the Light of Men*. Satan is darkness. So when we find ourselves lost in the darkness, we need to look for redemption in the light. At one point on the tour in Mammoth Cave up in Kentucky, they get you really deep in the cave and then have everyone turn off their flashlights. It's pitch black. Then the tour guide lights a single match, and it illuminates the entire cavern. Darkless van make us lose our bearings, and become lost. Light drives out darkness. 

In scripture as well as many other non-Biblical writings, *light* is used as an idea in reference to knowledge. This knowledge, this light, is for every person. For every man and for every woman, young or old. John reminds us that the true light came to save everyone in verse 9: *The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.*

What an introduction. 

If you have not been introduced to Jesus Christ today, let us introduce you to him. Come foward during this song and be a child of his by putting Him on in baptism. If you've strayed into darkness and away from that true light, you can come back to Him. You can recommit your life to God. Come, let us baptize or pray for you this evening while we stand and sing. 



[Points from this devotional were taken from Jeff Jenkins' excellent book, *Thoughts from the Mound*, pages 28-31.]