Untitled Sermon (14)

Introduction

John Main Idea

Main Idea

The Gospel begins with a prologue that introduces the narrative. The introduction includes the plight of the world and the arrival of the unique Son, the revelation (Word) of God, through whom the readers are invited to become children of the Father. It is an introduction not merely to the Gospel but also the gospel: the Son that God sent dwells among us, the fallen world that God loves.

John Explanation of the Text

The prologue of John is the cornerstone for the entire Gospel, the lens through which the Gospel must be read.

Prologue: The beginning of narratives, often in the form of a preface or prologue, provides information regarding purpose, method, and contents: key information needed to understand the rest of the narrative.

While all types of narrative beginnings are important, prologues had a uniquely dramatic force in ancient writings. Reminiscent of the openings of classic dramas, prologues were often used to introduce the important characters in the narrative, situate them within the story, and give some understanding of their importance. John clearly does this with the character of his biography. But there is a further function of prologues that is important: prologues would project the plot by explaining both seen and unseen forces within the action. Hooker explains this function: “It was customary for the Greek dramatist to introduce the theme of his play in a ‘prologue,’ which provided members of his audience with the vital information that would enable them to comprehend the plot, and to understand the unseen forces—the desires and plans of the gods—which were at work in the story.”6 While John does not reveal the desires and plans of the gods, he does, in dramatist fashion, explain the desires and plans of the God. The prologue, in this sense, prescribes the reader’s comprehension of the plot and explains the behind-the-scene activities of God. This is no mere background issue, for it is rooted in the narrative’s own emplotment; yet it is also not merely theological abstraction, for it is connected to real events described by the narrative. What is explained are the “unseen forces” that are at work in and around the real events described by the narrative. Thus, the prologue is guiding the reader to see the invisible (God) in the visible (historical persons and events).

6 Ibid., 186.

Edward W. Klink III, John, ed. Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 84–85.

John 1:1–18 (ESV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 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. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

In the beginning...