The Word, the Works, and the Witness
Thru the Bible in a Year
As we open the Gospel of John, we are stepping into holy groundâthe deepest waters of divine revelation. Johnâs Gospel is not simply a record of Jesusâ miracles or teachings; it is an invitation to behold the eternal Son of God, the Word made flesh. While Matthew shows Jesus as King, Mark as Servant, and Luke as the Son of Man, John presents Him as the eternal WordâGod Himself stepping into time and space to redeem what He created.
Johnâs purpose is clear: âThese are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His nameâ (John 20:31). Every chapter is written with that heartbeat. And in these first three chaptersâJohn 1 through 3âwe see the foundation of faith laid through three powerful themes: the Word, the Works, and the Witness.
John 1 â The Word: God Revealed
John begins not with Bethlehem but with eternity. âIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.â This is more than poetryâit is theology that transforms. Before creation, before time, before all things, the Word already was. John identifies Jesus not merely as a messenger of God but as God Himselfâthe Creator through whom all things came into being.
These opening verses describe Christâs relationship to God (He is coequal and coeternal), His relationship to creation (He is the source of all life), and His relationship to humanity (He is the true Light who gives life to every person). Theologian A. W. Tozer once said, âJesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way.â Johnâs introduction leaves no ambiguityâChrist is God revealed, the bridge between heaven and earth.
Then enters John the Baptist, the forerunner who came to âbear witness of that Light.â His ministry was not about self-promotion but divine preparation. He made it clear that he was not the Christ but merely a voice crying in the wilderness. His humility still echoes today: the servant must never compete with the Savior.
The narrative moves quickly as the first disciples begin to follow Jesus. They ask, âRabbi, where are You staying?ââa question not about geography but about fellowship. Jesus responds, âCome and see.â That invitation still stands. Every seeker must eventually move from curiosity to commitment, from questioning to following. And once they came and saw, they were convinced. Andrew told Peter; Philip told Nathanael. The Gospel spreads best not through programs but through personal testimonyâone heart sharing with another what it has found in Christ.
John 2 â The Works: Godâs Power Displayed
The second chapter of Johnâs Gospel reveals that Jesusâ deity is not only declared but shown. His first miracle at a wedding in Cana may seem small compared to healing the blind or raising the dead, but it carries great significance. In turning water into wine, Jesus shows that He has come to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The problem was simpleâthey ran out of wine. But every human problem becomes divine opportunity when surrendered to Christ. The precept came through His motherâs faith-filled words: âWhatever He says to you, do it.â The power came when He turned water into wine, and the praise followed when the master of the feast declared that this new wine was far better than what came before. The result was gladness for the wedding guests, glory for Christ, and growth in the disciplesâ faith.
The second major event in this chapterâthe cleansing of the Templeâshows the other side of Christâs ministry: righteous zeal. When Jesus drove out the merchants and money changers, He demonstrated that worship must remain holy. âTake these things away! Do not make My Fatherâs house a house of merchandise!â (John 2:16). It was not anger but authority that motivated Him. The Temple had become a place of profit rather than prayer, and Jesus restored its sanctity.
This cleansing foreshadowed a greater purification yet to comeânot of buildings, but of hearts. Today, the Spirit dwells not in temples made with hands but in believers themselves. When Jesus cleanses us, He does so with the same passion, driving out what does not belong so that true worship can flourish within.
John 3 â The Witness: Godâs Salvation Explained
The third chapter of John introduces us to one of the most well-known and beloved passages in all of Scripture. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and respected teacher, comes to Jesus by night. Perhaps he came in secrecy, afraid of what others might think, or perhaps in sincerity, searching for truth. Either way, Jesus meets him with a statement that still reverberates through time: âYou must be born again.â
Nicodemus is puzzled. How can a man be born when he is old? Jesus patiently explains that the new birth is spiritual, not physicalâa work of the Spirit that renews the heart. He illustrates it with a story Nicodemus would have known well: the bronze serpent lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8â9). Just as the Israelites looked upon the serpent and were healed, so must all people look to the Son of Man lifted up on the cross.
Then comes the most recognized verse in the BibleâJohn 3:16. âFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.â The gospel condensed into one sentence. It tells us of the motive (Godâs love), the gift (His Son), the invitation (whoever believes), and the reward (eternal life). It is not just informationâit is transformation.
The chapter continues with the humility of John the Baptist, who declares, âHe must increase, but I must decrease.â Those seven words capture the essence of discipleship. Growth in grace means less of self and more of Christ. The measure of maturity is not how much we do for God, but how much of us God controls.
Finally, John the Apostle adds his own witness: âWhoever believes in the Son has eternal life.â Faith is not a feeling but a transfer of trustâresting fully in what Christ has done. The Word who became flesh, the One who worked miracles, now invites us into new life through belief in His name.
Walking Through John with Open Eyes
Johnâs Gospel invites us not just to read but to behold. Each chapter builds upon the lastâthe Word revealing who Jesus is, the Works revealing what He can do, and the Witness revealing why He came. Together they draw us into worship.
In John 1, we meet the eternal WordâGod among us. In John 2, we see His works that manifest His glory. And in John 3, we hear the witness that leads to eternal life. This patternârevelation, demonstration, proclamationâmirrors the Christian life itself. We encounter Christ, experience His power, and share His truth.
As we continue through the Bible this year, remember that the goal is not simply to gain knowledge but to know Christ more intimately. Every chapter is a window into His heart.
A Blessing
May the Word enlighten your mind, the Works of Christ strengthen your faith, and the Witness of the Spirit deepen your love for God. As you walk through Scripture, may you discover afresh that Jesus is not merely the subject of the Bible but its living center. Thank you for committing to this journey through Godâs WordâHis promise still holds true: it will not return void.
For a deeper look at the Gospel of John, visit Bible.org for commentaries, background studies, and verse-by-verse insights.
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