I wonder what inspired John to start Jesus' birth at the beginning (probably God huh), the very beginning. I wonder why he chose logos (word). Looking back from 2k years ahead it all makes sense. Jesus is the spoken word of God. He was the spoken force in creation. But for John he was explaining stuff that had never been conceived outside the mind of God. I love John's perspective, nicknamed the one Jesus loves, the one that saw a vision of the returning Christ and knew nothing else to do but fall on his face in worship.
Chapter 1
John the baptist declares that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah. John is the only one that he allows to declare this about him. In the previous gospels Jesus commands those he heals to remain quiet and to not speak of who he is.
John the baptist and his disciples see Jesus as he walks by. Two of John's disciples follow Jesus. It's what's absent that is so telling of the nature and knowledge of purpose for John. John never calls for them to come back, he doesn't pontificate about how he's better and that they're stupid to follow Jesus. The disciples go and be come some of Jesus' most helpful ministry partners. John knew his purpose was to prepare the way for Christ, even if it meant people. How often do we hold on to something or someone when the best thing might be for us to recognize that we've prepared them for this?
Chapter 2
Jesus turned the water into wine. Yes, wine. Alcoholic wine? Yes. It's a shame Jesus didn't get the "don't drink memo" we'd come up with in 1950.
verse 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
This verse has a way of penetrating my heart unlike many. I immediately think of how easy it is to profess belief in Jesus and to commit to folowing Him always when things are going right but it's equally easy to shake a fist at and curse him when stuff hits the fan. Jesus knew this would happen to him but no one thinks it will ever happen to them.
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