There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – Jno. 1:6-14

John, the writer, offers clarity about another John, the forerunner of Christ. He came as a witness, but He was not the light of the world. Jesus is the true light, offering from God – enlightenment to all men. The darkness of sin doesn’t have to be eternal. Jesus is the true light, and “to all who” believe in His name, “he gave the right to become children of God.” Learn more about that, as you continue through John and then read the book of Acts.

Now there is this pivotal statement in verse 14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John wants his readers to be clear about this. It is not that Jesus remains in heaven and shines a light down to us. It is not that he stayed home with God and just sent teaching for us to follow. No. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” We use the word “incarnation.” He came here to live a real human life. As it says in Matt. 1:23, “God with us.”

Further, it is not the case that Jesus told us a little truth from God, or that He gave us a peek into the grace of God. He came “full of grace and truth.” Through Jesus, God offers the gift of eternal life and the opportunity to understand and practice the truth. Learn more about this fullness, as you continue through John and the rest of the New Testament.