This Gospel gives much more than the other three, of the Persons of the Son of God, the Father and the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost). We will be reading of the rejection of the Lord Jesus and our redemption, as if they had already taken place. There is no mention of the Lord’s birth, or ascension to heaven, nor are the events in sequence. Everything, we could say, is “now.” Israel is looked at as being totally rejected by God.
V.1 God takes us back into eternity, before the creation of the world. God had no beginning. This gospel concerns the glory of Christ, that blessed Man Who is in the glory today. It shows us God’s children, the believers, as His family. John tells us over and over again that this blessed Man is God.
In John there is (1) No birth of the Lord Jesus; (2) No record of His earthly ancestors; (3) No temptation by Satan; (4) No mention of anyone possessed with demons; (5) No agony in Gethsemane; (6) No three hours of darkness on the cross; (7) No forsaking by God; (8) No ascension. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, rejected by His own people Israel, but living and dying to the glory of God.
V.1-5 What the Lord Jesus always was and is. He was before the beginning of everything. All that God is, His wisdom and love and power, are in Christ.
V.6-13 The purpose for which John the Baptist was raised up, was to point to “the Light.”
V.12 Only those of us who have been “born again” are the children of God.
V.14-18 This is what the Lord became when He came to earth. His glory was seen.
V.19-28 He came after John, but was before him.