Creative Aspect of the Word

Read the opening passage of John's gospel and think about the creative aspect. Below this thought provoking passage are some passages to help you ponder this text in ways you may not have before. Take a moment and share your thoughts.


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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.*
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,* and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,* full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,* who is close to the Father’s heart,* who has made him known.

1. What meaning can we derive from the idea that the Word became human (sarx for flesh)?

2. Can we draw meaning from this concept and the reality of Christ now "enfleshed" among us? After all, we're now the "body of Christ." Christ is enfleshed among, and in, sinful human beings.

3. What might that say about God's vulnerability in choosing us to be HIS body? 

4. How might we honor this position?

5. What does it mean to be given the right to become the children of God? As members of God's family, Jesus is an older brother, and God our father.

6. What might this mean in the light of so many in our world who feel fatherless, homeless, or displaced?