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Ask God: We are fortunate to have four writers who wrote the four Gospels. It is seeing the same message from different perspectives. John starts his Gospel before creation: In the beginning. . .

Good Evening Reader,

This is the day the Lord has made. I am rejoicing in it. My prayer is for each person that is facing some type of struggle today. May God give you strength and wisdom to handle each struggle in victory.

As I said last week, prayer transforms. Prayer is the foundation for growth of every believer. Pray develops your relationship with God. We can depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance. Praise God.

May God bless you abundantly this day.

All Glory to God.

Elvin

The Word was with God; the Word was God

"In the beginning, the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.

God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.

The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and His life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it."

"So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son" (John 1-5 and 14).

John opens his Gospel with a revealing message. He carries us back to before creation to get the "30,000-foot view." He wants humanity to understand the complete story.

God knew that man needed guidance, and that guidance was the Light. He sent Jesus, the Word, who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), to show us the way. Jesus brought light, revealing His truth and grace.

Unfortunately, many rejected Him, but all who receive Him are given the right to become children of God. The story looks forward with hope, and Jesus reveals the Father so we can walk in His light and live as His beloved family.

Our confidence and authority in this information are based on the Word of God. Because we base our teachings on the Scriptures, we know we are guided along the path of truth. Read the first chapter of John to receive the fullness of the Word of God.

A Unique Opening of Each of the Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each open their Gospels in different ways because each writer highlights a unique part of Jesus' mission.

Matthew begins with a genealogy, showing Jesus as the promised King from David's line and the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. By tracing Jesus' family story, Matthew reminds readers that God keeps His promises through history.

Mark starts with Jesus' earthly ministry and with John the Baptist preparing the way. The Father declares, "You are my beloved Son." Mark wants us to feel the urgency of Jesus' ministry and the power of the Gospel in action.

Luke begins with a careful, detailed account of Jesus' birth. He describes angels, shepherds, and Mary's faith, showing that God steps into ordinary life with extraordinary grace. Together, their openings give us a fuller picture of who Jesus is and why He came.

The Word, Jesus, Walked in Our Shoes

John opens his Gospel by lifting our eyes beyond the time of creation. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Before creation, Jesus already existed. He is not just part of God's story—He is God's story. Everything was made through Him, and nothing exists without His power.

Yet, the One who created the world came into our world as a man. This shows God's heart for us. He didn't shout His love from heaven; He came close enough for us to see, hear, and touch.

Jesus came to earth and lived as you and I live. He walked in the footsteps of ordinary people. Therefore, He understands our struggles and our pain. He knows our needs. In Him, the eternal God becomes personal and present with us.

The Light That Shatters the World's Darkness

John describes Jesus as, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:5). Darkness represents sin, fear, and the brokenness of the human heart. Every generation feels it.

But Jesus doesn't just point toward the light; He is the light. When He enters a life, the shadows move back. He exposes lies that once held us captive and reveals a better way to live.

Even when the world rejects Him, His light never dims. It cuts through the confusion, bringing clarity and forgiveness. It breaks despair and brings hope. When we follow Him, we never walk alone, because His light guides our steps. His presence becomes the steady glow that gives us direction and courage.

John's opening differs from those of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and offers a unique perspective. We view the same message from four different perspectives, each by a different writer.

Grace and Truth Made Real in Jesus Christ

John says, "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son." (John 1:14).

These two qualities—grace and truth—are revealed in Jesus. Truth shows us who God is and who we really are. Grace gives us what we don't deserve: mercy, forgiveness, and a new beginning.

Jesus didn't come to crush sinners but to rescue them. He didn't come to judge first but to invite us into God's family. John adds, "From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another" (verse 16). This shows that His grace never runs out.

Verse 18 says, "No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us." Jesus came to reveal the Father's heart. When we look at Jesus—His compassion and His love—we see exactly what God is like. Through Him, we receive the truth that sets us free and the grace that sustains us.

Our Hope for Tomorrow is the Light

When we step back and look at how each writer opens each of the Gospels, we see a beautiful picture of God reaching toward us in love. Matthew shows Jesus as the long-promised King, proving that God keeps every promise.

Mark reveals the urgency of the Good News, reminding us that God moves with power and purpose. Luke shows God entering everyday life with tender grace. And John looks back before creation, showing that "the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

That same eternal Word stepped into our world to bring Light that no darkness can overcome, and to offer grace that never runs out. He understands our struggles, guides our steps, and welcomes us into God's family.

No matter what we face, believers can walk forward with confidence: the God who made the universe walks with us and loves us without end.

Our Concluding Thoughts

When we step back and look at the openings of the Gospels, we see a beautiful picture of God reaching toward us in love. John lifts our eyes to show that "the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

That same eternal Word stepped into our world to bring Light that no darkness can overcome, and to offer grace that never runs out. He understands our struggles, guides our steps, and welcomes us into God's family.

No matter what struggles we face, believers can walk forward with confidence: the God who made the universe walks with us, shines through us, and loves us without end.

Elvin

In The Beginning. . . .

Ask God For Help

Christian faith

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin.aycock@AskGodForHelp.net and let me know what you think of the lessons.

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