1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Commentary: John highlights the astonishing truth that although Jesus came to His own, many did not receive Him. Yet, in an incredible display of selfless love, Jesus pursued us anyway. He offered the right to become children of God to all who would receive Him and believe in His name (John 1:12). This love is relational at its core—Jesus did not wait for humanity to come to Him but actively sought us out, even knowing many would reject Him. His love is persistent, enduring rejection to open the door to adoption into God's family for all who would choose to believe.
Application: Pursue relationships with others even when they are difficult or when your efforts go unappreciated. Love is not contingent on being received but on being willing to reach out and extend grace. Consider how you can demonstrate this kind of love to someone who has been resistant or indifferent to your kindness.
Remember, Jesus continued to offer Himself even in the face of rejection. Follow His example by showing patience and compassion in your pursuit of meaningful connections with others, trusting that your love may ultimately lead them closer to God.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Commentary: The Word became flesh—a staggering act of love. Jesus, who existed in glory and perfection, chose to take on human form and dwell among us, full of grace and truth. This selfless sacrifice shows the depth of His desire to connect with humanity, to relate to us in our struggles, and to ultimately redeem us. In His humility, He sets aside divine privileges to bring God’s fullness and grace to a broken world.
Application: Follow Jesus’ example of humble love by willingly stepping into others' lives, even when it requires personal sacrifice. Be present for people in their struggles and show grace and truth in your relationships. Remember that love often involves setting aside your own comfort to meet the needs of others.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Commentary: When John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, he reveals the ultimate expression of Jesus' love: His willingness to sacrifice Himself to take away the sin of the world. Jesus’ love is not abstract—it is a love that willingly bears the weight of humanity’s brokenness and offers redemption through His own suffering. This sacrificial love is central to His mission and to the gospel itself.
Application: Imitate Jesus’ sacrificial love by being willing to bear the burdens of others. This might mean sacrificing your time, energy, or resources to help someone in need. Look for ways to reflect His love by putting others' needs ahead of your own.
Bearing others sins, in our own way, might mean sharing the burden of someone else's weakness and helping them repent as though their weakness were our own. If you know someone struggling with a certain sin, bear their burden, at least, by continually praying for them and helping them gain the understanding of the Word that will help them overcome.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
Commentary: Jesus’ love is shown in how He invites His first disciples to follow Him. He doesn’t force them but instead asks them what they are seeking and gives them a simple invitation: “Come and see.” This gentle, relational approach demonstrates that love offers connection without pressure. Jesus begins His ministry by building relationships, showing that love is not just about sacrifice but also about inviting others into shared life and purpose.
Application: Pursue relationships with the same open-hearted love that Jesus shows. Extend invitations to others to “come and see” who Jesus is through your life. Whether it’s sharing your faith or simply building meaningful connections, let your love be marked by genuine care and an openness to walk alongside others. Invite unbelievers to fellowship with you and your fellow believers. Friendships allow others to see the fruit in your life, which will make Christ more desirable to them.
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.