January 1 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 1–3; Matthew 1

The Word and a New Year

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

READ John 1:1–14

Michellan faced challenges while growing up in the Philippines, but she always loved words and found comfort in them. Then one day while attending university, she read the first chapter in the gospel of John, and her “stone heart stirred.” She felt like someone was saying, “Yes, you love words, and guess what? There is an Eternal Word, one who . . . can cut through the darkness, now and always. A Word who took on flesh. A Word who can love you back.”

She was reading the gospel that begins with words that would have reminded John’s readers of the opening of Genesis: “In the beginning . . .” (Genesis 1:1). John sought to show that Jesus was not only with God at the beginning of time but was God (John 1:1). And this living Word became a man “and made his dwelling among us” (v. 14). Further, those who receive Him, believing in His name, become His children (v. 12).

Michellan embraced God’s love that day and was “born of God” (v. 13). She credits God for saving her from her family’s pattern of addiction and now writes about the good news of Jesus, delighting in sharing her words about the Living Word.

If we’re believers in Christ, we too can share God’s message and His love. As we begin 2022, what grace-filled words can we speak this year?

By Amy Boucher Pye

What does it mean that Jesus is the Word of God? What difference will this make to your life in this new year?

Jesus, give me the words to speak, that I might bless someone with Your grace and love today and in this new year.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Theologian Darrell Bock describes the primary difference between John’s gospel and the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) as the Synoptics being written from the perspective of the earth up and John being written from heaven down. Matthew begins with Jesus’ earthly genealogy and a birth narrative. Mark begins with Jesus’ introduction and baptism. Luke begins with the birth announcements of Jesus and His forerunner, John the Baptist, and a birth narrative. In each case, the story begins with happenings on this planet. In John 1:1–14, however, we’re given a glimpse into the eternal, with Jesus and His Father together before Jesus arrives on earth (v. 14).