Today I read John 1 and there are so many things to talk about that I almost don't know where to start. First things first, it is accepted by almost all that John was writing to those who were already Christians and believed that Jesus is the Christ. I have recently heard from the Sunday school teacher in my ward that John was actually not just writing to those who are members of the church but to those who have had a temple like experience, although I am not sure where he got that information from. So that gives us context and you can tell from John's opening verses that he expects you to have a background of what he is talking about.
Again, I am using the Joseph Smith Translations and so for those of my readers who are not LDS it will be a little different than the King James Version of the Bible. John starts out by introducing Jesus to us. John tells us that in the beginning was Jesus and He taught us all the Gospel. This is extremely significant because it lets us know that the Father had a plan right from the beginning. All of this was planned. Now, this is not news to most Latter-day Saints but it is news to some I am sure. Most Christians, that I have talked to, largely believe that the Fall of Adam was a mistake and that if he and Eve had not fallen, we would all be living in a paradisaical land. This is false and it was known and necessary for Adam to fall. To this end was a Savior chosen before the world was even created, Jesus Christ. John is re-enforcing this in his opening remarks.
The Joseph Smith Translation also clears up one of the verses and completely changes the meaning. I can't tell you the number of times I have had someone quote John 1:18 to me to disprove the First Vision. However, Joseph restores the proper translation which states that no man has seen God at any time except He has borne witness of the Son. This completely changes the meaning of the scripture. This lets us know that a select few men and perhaps women too, have seen God the Father in person. But the only time it has ever happened God has testified of Jesus and that is all He does, much like in the First Vision.
John also tells us how he became a disciple of Jesus Christ. None of the other Gospels mention how John found Jesus to begin with. John was a disciple of John the Baptist originally along with Andrew, Peter's brother. When John the Baptist testified of Jesus Christ John the Beloved left the Baptist and followed after Jesus. Andrew also went and got Peter to let him know that he had found the Messiah. We can assume that John the Beloved told his brother, James, about Jesus and that is how James came to be a disciple.
Perhaps the most humorous story in this chapter is the calling of Nathanael. Nathanael had a friend named Phillip who Jesus found and told him to follow after Him. Phillip went and told Nathanael that he had found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael's response is unique, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Apparently Nazareth was not well thought of by others. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming He spoke stating that an Israelite in whom is no guile approaches. Nathanael is a little taken aback and asks Jesus if He knows him. Jesus states that He does indeed know Nathanael and that He had seen Nathanael sitting under a fig tree not too long ago. Nathanael, we can assume was all alone at the time Jesus is talking about and immediately declares Jesus to be the Savior. Now I can just picture Jesus smiling at this, almost wryly, and saying because Jesus saw Nathanael sitting under a fig tree he believes that Jesus is the Christ? Then Jesus promises Nathanael he will see much greater miracles than this.
What a fantastic opening. John has set the stage for the Savior's ministry. He does not concern himself with talking about the Savior's birth and his childhood. He knows those have already been talked about before. He jumps straight to the baptism of Jesus and the beginning of His ministry and how His disciples found Him. This is how all of John's writings are, but given his audience he is writing to, it only makes sense. John will generally focus on the doctrine behind Jesus' teachings and miracles. It is without a doubt my favorite of the Gospels. And I think you'll see why in the coming month. Until tomorrow.
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