John does not start his gospel with Old Testament predictions (Mark), genealogy to prove Jesus was the direct descendant of King David (Matthew) or the annunciation (Luke). Instead, he starts, "In the beginning". He wanted us to first understand the eternal reality of Jesus Christ - He never came into existence, but ALWAYS WAS.

Jesus is eternal, unchanging or as the writer of Hebrews puts it:

"Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time".
Hebrews 7:3

He is "I AM".

"Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!”
John 8:58

"God said to Moses, “I AM that I AM.” And he said, “You must say this to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “You must say this to the Israelites, ‘The Lord — the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob — has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is my memorial from generation to generation.’
Exodus 3:14-15

He is "from everlasting".

As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah
seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah —
from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf,
one whose origins are in the distant past.
Micah 5:2

He is always "with God".

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they can see my glory that you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
John 17:24

He is all that God is.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him — all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers — all things were created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:16-17

He is Adam made perfect. Untarnished by living among men.

For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form
Colossians 2:9

In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.
John 1:4-5

He is God's Word.

in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world.
Hebrews 1:2

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, “This is my one dear Son. Listen to him!”
Mark 9:7

Conx

Copyright (c) Conway Billington

• Topic: Bible Study

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