In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.1
And to add to his preposterous claims, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”2 The Pharisees were fuming mad. In an attempt to discredit him, they claimed his testimony is not valid as he alone speaks for himself without any witness.3
But who indeed is this Jesus? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.4 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.5
Jesus was stating that he is that what Scripture speaks of—He is the Word that turned flesh. The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.6 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you before Abraham was I am.”7
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.8
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.9
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.10
Notes:
1. Genesis 1:1-3
2. John 8:12
3. John 8:13-18
4. John 1:1-5
5. John 1:14
6. Proverbs 8:22-23
7. John 8:58
8. Hebrews 1:1-3
9. Colossians 1:15-20
10. Psalm 92:1-4
