The Continuing Ministry Of 
Christ In Time And Space

Pastor Bill Farrow

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There are many things clear in this passage. As is true with many other passages in God's Word, there is much being said here. Perhaps the clearest thing in the passage, however, is that at the "time" of the beginning of all that has begun - God the Father was not the only being present. There was another - here referred to as the Word. John is careful to be sure that we understand that we are thinking in the realm of mystery here - speak of one who is the same as, but yet distinct from the Father. And this will not be the last of the ''mind-blowers" that John will ask us to try and get our minds around.

One concept that seems to be important to John is the idea that Christ's existence, His Work, and His ministry didn't begin with His incarnation. John takes pains to show us that there is continuity in the pre-existent and incarnational work of our Savior. It is the same Christ who was with God at the beginning as it was who took on flesh and walked among men.

Why is it important? Well, there are a number of reasons we could give, chief of which would be the need to show that the work of salvation was not a work that could be  undertaken by any mere human. It was needful that the work of redemption be the work of God. It is not only that God didn't wish it to be done by a mere human; it is clear in all of the Scripture and especially here in John, that no mere human was capable of accomplishing this great and difficult work. 

Further, it is important that we see that this work of God be seen to be the work He has been set on doing all along, not a work done in response to man's condition, but a work planned and put into action in anticipation of it. It is very important to John that ail see that God is the actor in the drama of redemption; not the reactor. Ard so we see him take pains to show us from the very start of the book that this Christ was not a man pressed into the service of God - but rather, God Himself interjected into the flow of history otherwise doomed to judgment and disaster.