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Sunday School Lesson
History does not unfold as a series of “events” that are disjointed, with abrupt “flashes.” There is a “flow” of events that move as a series of “time streams,” that join in unique ways at specific points, and, then, seem to divide and may — or may not — meet again. It is important for all of mankind to understand that this “flow” is under the direction of the Heavenly Father — the creator of the universe. God spoke to the human race through the prophet Isaiah. “... I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” Isaiah 46:9b, 10. From this perspective of history, the Apostle Paul declared, “But when the fullness of time (i.e., the appointed period) was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law (i.e., the Old Testament system of laws and sacrifices), To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (i.e., be placed as sons).” Galatians 4:4, 5. As the Apostle John began the gospel that bears his name, he opened his record with a declaration of the eternal nature of the one whom God had sent to the world. “In the beginning (first) was (to exist) the word (expression of thought), and the word was (existed) with (by the side of) God (Theos: Jehovah), and the word was God.” John 1:1. This declaration established the divinity of Jesus Christ, since these words were written by an eyewitness. John 20:30, 31; 1 John 1:1-3 He, further, declared, “The same (i.e., ‘he’) was in the beginning with God” (John 1:2), thus, establishing the eternal nature of Jesus Christ. The role of the Son of God in the creation is quite clear. “All things were made (to become; to come into existence) by (through) him; and without (apart from) him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3. By the time of the writing of this gospel, many heretical teachings had developed concerning the eternal nature of the ministry of Jesus. John wrote, “In (can indicate a ‘source’) him was life (life on the highest plane); and the life was the light (essential condition for vision) of men (humans)”. John 1:4. Between the ministry of the prophet Malachi and the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, approximately 400 years had passed. During this time of “divine silence”, the religious world had been plunged into spiritual darkness. With the coming of the Savior into the world (see Luke 2:1-20), spiritual light began to dawn. John wrote, “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (to lay hold; to overpower) it not (absolute negative).” John 1:5. John introduced a great figure who had a “supporting role” in the unfolding drama of the divine introduction of the Savior. By the time of the writing of this gospel, the role of John the Baptist had become “glamorized.” However, the apostle did not introduce him in this way. “There was a man (human) sent from God, whose name was John. The same (i.e., ‘he’) came for a witness (one who can, or does, confirm what he has seen or heard, or knows), to bear witness of the light (i.e., Jesus), that all men (i.e., each one) through (by means of) him might believe (to exercise faith).” John 1:6, 7. To keep the divine role of each one of these people — Jesus and John the Baptist — in perspective, the apostle wrote, “He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true (unconcealed) light, which lighteth (to enlighten) every man (human) that cometh into the world (order; system).” John 1:8, 9. John turned the thoughts of these early readers — and us — to the son of God. “He (i.e., Jesus) was in (i.e., the point reached) the world, and the world was made (to come into existence) by him, and the world knew (to take knowledge; to recognize) him not. He came unto his own (i.e., his own people — the Jewish nation), and his own received (to receive from another; to take) him not.” John 1:10, 11. By the time that John wrote the gospel, the message of salvation from sin had been preached over much of the Roman Empire. A major portion of the believers were Gentiles — — non-Jews. See Acts 1:8. For those readers — and us — John wrote, “But as many as received (to take) him, to them gave he power (authority) to become (to be made) the sons (i.e., one born into the family) of God, even to them that believe on his name (character; honor; majesty; excellence).” John 1:12. In this portion of the gospel known as the “prologue,” John introduced a concept that would be seen in greater detail in the account of Nicodemus’ visit with Jesus. See John 3:1-21. In the introduction, he identified the relationship that is required of all of the followers of Jesus Christ — “Which (who) were born (the usual term), not of blood (i.e, bloods or nationalities), nor of the will (desire) of the flesh (i.e., natural birth, alone), nor of the will of man (humans; i.e., human ideas or ideals), but (contrariwise) of (out of) God.” John 1:13. Again, addressing the heretical teaching that denied the “humanity” of Jesus Christ, John wrote, “And the word was made (became) flesh (in contrast to supernatural or extraterrestrial), and dwelt (to pitch a tent; i.e., a temporary dwelling) among (in the midst of) us, (and we beheld [to view attentively] his glory [honor resulting from a good opinion], the glory as [in the manner] of the only begotten of the Father,) full (holding all that it can) of grace (God’s unmerited favor) and truth (that which conforms to reality).” John 1:14. The apostle, briefly, turned to the witness of John the Baptist. “John bare witness of him (i.e., Jesus), and cried (to call aloud), saying, This was he of whom I spake, he that cometh after (i.e., follow) me is preferred (to become) before (in the face of) me: for he was (i.e., existed) before me.” John 1:15. Then, John wrote of Christ, “And of (out of) his fulness (that which has been completed) have all we received (to come into possession of), and grace for (beyond; this pictures the abundance that is available) grace.” John 1:16. The first readers of the gospel were familiar with the Old Testament. They knew the fact of the giving of the law. These “binding laws” were able to allow one to see the need of a savior, but did not change the life. John wrote, “For the law was given by (through) Moses, but grace and truth came by (through) Jesus Christ.” John 1:17. Through Jesus Christ, the human search for God came to an end. “No man (one) hath seen God at any time (i.e., never); the only begotten Son ... he hath declared him.” John 1:18. Do you know Jesus? John 3:16.
Rev. Temples can be contacted at P.O. Box 1569, Auburndale, Fla. 33823; 863-965-0157. Email: jctjet@ aol.com
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