“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.“
John makes clear that Jesus (the Word) was present at creation and in fact was an essential part of the creation process.
Q: What would it mean if Jesus were not part of the Creation process?
Thanks for the great bible study!
I think this question really drives home that Jesus is not only the Son of God, but God himself. If Jesus were not a part of the creation process, then it would mean He would have been a bi-stander to it. It gets really hard as a human to wrap your head around being a part of someone, and not being a part of someone at the same time. The fact that Jesus created everything actually brings makes me think of His crucifixion. I think we sometimes tell the story from the perspective that God sent His only Son to die for our sins, but in realty too, God, who created us, died for us. That in all of this, God created us knowing we would fail, but all along His intension is that the only thing that can keep us from Him, is our own denial. Something He gave us the ability to have. Jesus was a part of creation because He wants us to be together with Him.
John 17:24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Chris,
I love your point about whose perspective the story is told from. Even though we (in my opinion) are not capable of understanding how Jesus and the Father are One, knowing that Jesus has told us that they are (John 10:30) makes what you say true. It really is our God who died for us.