John otr – He is I AM (1:2)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

In two short, poetic verses, John manages to say that the Word was three times.

was the Word… the Word was… He was…

It is no accident that John uses Hebrew parallelism in this section, repeating and restating ideas. John wants us to feel the weight of Who the Word is. John wants us to be in awe at the gravity of the Word.

It is also no accident that He uses the superlative thrice-repetition of an idea. We see this elsewhere in Scripture, particularly in John’s writings–”Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Who was, and is, and is to come”.

These patterns are shouting the glory of Christ, painting the beauty of the Incarnation, and weaving the tapestry of Trinitarian praise. Selah.

These “Word was” phrases are also setting the context by which John will quote Jesus saying “I Am” numerous times in this gospel. One of those times is especially relevant to the eternal existence of the Son of God.

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” –John 8:58

Not only does Jesus claim to be eternal, but He owns the very name of God–”Yahweh” or “I Am”. And this name has always been His, from eternity past to eternity future.

Let’s keep this in mind as we read about Jesus, the one who is I AM, the eternal Son of God, who existed always as one God with the Father and the Spirit.

Praise Him Who was, and is, and is to come!

Love to you fam,

Mike

What does OTR mean? On the Run? On the Real? Off the Record? On the Road?… possibly all of these. This is my attempt at teaching my fam by applying Scripture to our daily lives. Part exposition, part journaling, snapshots, and prayer. This is what Bible study looks like Once Todaros Rejoice!