Bible Studies

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The Hymn of the Logos presents Jesus as the eternal Word made flesh (Jn 1:1-3, 14). The author successfully conveys Jesus' dual nature--fully human and fully divine. John's prologue establishes a dualism that is defined in Jesus' discourses. Examples of dualism in the Prologue are the victory of light over darkness, "the light shines in the darkness . . . " (1:5), and the victory of the righteous over the wicked, "and the darkness has not overcome it [the light]" (1:6). The latter line symbolizes the Word's lasting power over Satan, who, in 16:11, is called the ruler of the world.

John's Prologue introduces the dualistic theme of spirit and flesh, which describes the synthesis of the two natures in the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ (1:14). The author expounds on Jesus' nature many times in the gospel. In 6:63, Jesus explains that without the spirit, "the flesh is of no avail." In 5:59, as has been the case for all time, the wicked will be condemned while the righteous will ressurect to lfe.

The Prologue of John definitively describes Jesus' nature and his purpose on earth and throughout eternity. The author describes Jesus in mystical terms. He is the Word who has been with God, who is God, since the beginning (1:1). "The world came to be . . ." through the Word. As he was the agent of creation, so is Jesus the agent through which humanity will return as children of God (1:12). For the author, Jesus' earthly purpose is to guide humanity out of darkness to God. His heavenly purpose is precisely the same. The Prologue begins with an announcement that establishes Jesus' nature. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God" (1:1). The phrase, "in the beginning" purposely echoes Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The heavenly relationship between Creation and Jesus's birth is not symbolic (my emphasis). Jesus is God and creation came into being through him.

The gospel's author clearly declares that Jesus is God on several ocassions. In 8:58, Jesus' declaration, "I AM," eternal, reverberates across salvation history from Yahweh's prouncement to Moses, "I AM." Jesus' true nature is summarized in the final verse of the prologue. He is the Son at the Father's side who has come to reveal God.

The Prologue to the Gospel of St. John is the first clear message to Christian faith down through the ages of theological reflection. The Prologue reveals Jesus' eternal expression and vividly clarifies his power and relationship to God the Father. People come to the Father through Jesus, who is the Word made flesh, just as they came in being through the Word at creation. The author presents Jesus as a promise of triumph over evil. God's love for the world is so immense that God chose to reveal God's own self through the Son, Jesus Christ. The Prologue of John is the starting point for the theology of Incarnation, Christology and for Trinitarian theology.

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