The New Creation

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The first words of John’s account of the life of Jesus are rich with meaning and significance. Last week, we discussed what John means when he refers to Jesus as the Word. This strange and abstract term would have carried a great deal of meaning and symbolism to the ears of his readers. However, perhaps the most striking phrase of all are the opening three words.

“No, I am your father.”

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

“I’ll be back.”

“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

“I see dead people.”

“Life is like a box of chocolates.”

You know these phrases. You probably smiled as you read through them. Maybe you pictured the proper voices in your ears as you read. In fact, if I’ve misquoted one, I will probably see seven commenters kindly remarking on my mistake. Each one is familiar. Each one conjures up an image in your mind. Phrases like these are often re-used in movies, literature, and humour to cause the viewer or reader to think back to a specific character, event, or idea. Believe it or not, this practice was common in ancient literature as well, and is exactly what John is doing in the introduction to his book. Jewish readers would instantly be reminded of Genesis 1:1.

Why does John call the readers’ attention to Genesis 1? John is establishing a parallel between the creation story and the coming of Jesus into the world. He’s pointing out that the two events are mirror images of each other.

In Genesis 1:3, as the very first step in His creation, God creates light. By creating light, God creates order, paving the way for creation to take place. In John 1:9, John refers to Jesus as God’s light that has come into the world. John wants His readers to view His coming as the first step in a new creation process.

Jesus is not just the light of the world, he is also the light of our hearts. Without him, we are lost, blind, and directionless. Jesus’ presence brings meaning and direction, and is the first step in God’s process of making us into new creations.

In the first chapter, John also states that in Jesus there is life. This theme is also present in the final sentence of the book, in which John states that he writes these things in order that we may have life. Throughout the book of John, Jesus often talks about new life and new birth. As he teaches his followers, he symbolically shows them how to be “born again” and find “eternal life.” In many ways, Jesus’ preaching is comparable to God forming Adam from the dust.

However, this process of creation is not complete until chapter 20, in which Jesus symbolically breaths on the disciples and says “receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). This is a clear reference to Genesis 2:7, in which God breaths on Adam and gives him life.

There is a clear parallel between the first creation and the second creation. In both cases, God the Father is the initiator and mastermind throughout the process. In both cases, God the Son is the active expression of God. He is the one who brings light, and who accomplishes creation. In both cases, the Holy Spirit is the life that remains with and sustains the creation. This was the unique process through which God created life in the world, and it is the process through which He creates life in our hearts.