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."
John 1:1-4
The content of these verses is what gives perspective to gospel thinking. The story of Christ does not begin at Bethlehem, or even, as Mark tells us, in the prophetic writings. It begins beyond the frontiers of time, in the secret counsels of God in eternity. Before the worlds began, the gospel was there, and our names were written on the palms of God's hands. This is mystery and paradox indeed, but it is surely the necessary implication of John's words here and, after all, the Scriptures do speak elsewhere of the blood of the everlasting covenant and of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This, then, is what the gospel is about: This Jesus, says John, of Whom I speak, is the Eternal Word, made flesh for our sakes, He Who in the beginning made all worlds has come down, as Man, to remake fallen man and give him new life. The work of creation in the beginning is simply the reflection of an infinitely greater work of re-creation in the gospel. This is why it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. Life is restored to the dead by Him Who is the author of life in the beginning. This is He with Whom we have to do. One wonders what impression these words made on those who first heard them. It must have been absolutely overwhelming. The trouble with us is that we are so familiar with them that we miss the immensity of what John is saying. That the Power behind all powers should speak Himself into a human frame putting on a face, hands and feet to tabernacle as Man among men - what unspeakable magnitude there is here. This is really the key to everything John says. Given this premise, everything else falls into place. Think of the miracle at Cana (2:1-11) - water into wine - an unheard-of thing. Yes, but if Christ is the Eternal Word Who made all things, Who invented wine, the miracle becomes not only understandable but inevitable. This is the kind of message John is concerned to put over.