I. The Nature of Christ (1-3). Eternal. In the beginning, not of the world, but before all creation, from everlasting. Divine Word. Christ is the expression of the mind of God. Came to reveal God to man (xv. 15). Living Person. The Word not a mere attribute or power of God but a distinct Person. "With God" from everlasting. Not inferior to the Father, but very God Himself. Creator. As well as Saviour and Governor of the world (read Col. i. 16, 17; Heb. i. 2).
II. The Office of Christ (4-13). Source of Life. As very God He had life in Himself, which He poured forth on His creation (vv. 25, 26; xvii. 2). Source of light. The life from Son of God is cause of man's inward spiritual light by which he is saved. Himself the light. World was in spiritual darkness at Christ's coming. Giver of light. No man has light in himself, however great his natural powers. All true light is from Christ.
Rejected. By His own. The world He made knew not its Creator (1 Cor. i. 21). The nation He chose to be His own special people (Deut. vii. 6) received Him not.
Received. By a few—both Jews and Gentiles; such as Nicodemus the ruler (iii. 1, 2), the disciples from Galilee (ii. 11), and others. How did they receive Him? By believing in Him. This faith, itself the gift of God, rewarded by further privilege of becoming God's sons—born into God's family by a new and spiritual birth (iii. 3).
III. The Glory of Christ (14). Word was made flesh by taking to Himself man's human nature. He dwelt (literally "pitched His tent") with men, full of mercy to heal bodies and souls, full of God's truth to teach.
Lessons. 1. Hold fast the Christian faith. Jesus Christ one for ever with the Father. God—eternal, glorious, Creator, Giver of light and life to the soul—yet Man, like one of us.
2. Live the Christian life. Jesus is our example, that we should follow His steps.
Christians walking in the Light.
A little girl in a London slum won a prize at a flower-show. Her flower was grown in a broken teapot in a back attic. When asked how she managed to grow the beautiful flower, she said her success came from always keeping the plant in the only corner of the room ever favoured by a sunbeam. Only by walking in the light and sight of God can Christians truly grow and bear fruit.
January 8th.—Christ's first Disciples.