In the Beginning was the Word: Jesus at Creation

Weekly Devotional 11.4.2024

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3

“The beginning of Hobbits lies far back in the Elder Days that are now lost and forgotten….Yet it is clear that Hobbits had, in fact, lived quietly in Middle-earth for many long years before other folk became even aware of them.” This quote is taken directly from the prologue “Concerning Hobbits” of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring. Tolkien outlines important details about the Hobbits, such as where they lived and their lifestyle. The prologue introduces the Hobbits and their history, habits, and home. The word prologue is taken from the Greek word prologos, meaning “before word.” Prologues help readers understand important themes and background information, introduce main characters, and set the overall tone for a story. Another important prologue is found at the beginning of John’s Gospel. These opening verses in John reveal the main character of Jesus and that He is the pre-existent Son who offers eternal life for all who believe. John introduces themes like Jesus being born of God and not by flesh and Jesus being the one and only Son, as well as important thematic words like light, truth, and witness—all ideas we find throughout the Gospel. Within these key themes and words in the prologue is Jesus’ role in creation. According to John, Jesus the Son is the agent through whom God the Father created everything.

Not only was Jesus the agent and goal of creation, but he holds all things together and is the head of the new creation—the church. Because Jesus is supreme over all creation, He is also supreme over his church, the new creation. When we profess Jesus is Lord, we, too, are a new creation. This means that we are no longer slaves to sin—we are led by the Spirit and submit to the Lordship of Jesus. To be a new creation means that we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). The same Jesus through whom all things were made and are held together is the same One who reconciles us back to God. He is Lord over all—creation and new creation.

This week, read John 1 and Colossians 1 and think about Jesus at Creation and His Lordship over creation and the new creation.