In the Beginning Was the Word – What John 1:1–3 Teaches About Jesus
Jesus is the Word—eternal, divine, and personal. Read this love-letter-style reflection on John 1:1–3 and what it reveals about Christ.
John the Baptist: The Voice in the Wilderness
John the Baptist grew up in the desert, appearing on the scene shortly before Jesus began his ministry. He traveled the countryside near Judea, preaching repentance and baptizing those who confessed their sins. As prophesied by his father Zechariah, John was to go before Jesus and “prepare the way for him, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:76-77). Who Was John the Baptist Because John was widely known and had many followers, the Jews sent priests and Levites to him to find out who he was. Some thought he was Elijah; others wondered if he was the Christ. But John “confessed freely, I am not the Christ” (John 1:20). Instead of accepting praise or attention, John pointed directly to Jesus. When he saw Jesus, he declared, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). He even sent his disciples to follow Jesus. John knew: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). The Voice in the Wilderness: John’s Purpose He understood his purpose as “the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’“ He knew that for people to accept Jesus and His gift of salvation, they must first prepare their hearts. Isaiah 40:3-5 is a call for just that: A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Make Straight in the Desert a Highway for Our God Before eastern princes marched through uncharted territory, it was common for men to go ahead of the royalty and prepare the highway. John the Baptist was the voice of the one calling his people to prepare their hearts for the Lord Jesus. He was calling them to repentance. In the same way, we are called to prepare the highway of our hearts for Jesus so that we can receive Him and the salvation He offers all who believe in His name. Every Valley Shall Be Raised Up Some of us struggle with raising the low places in our hearts. We are mired down by shame and guilt, and that shame and guilt keep us from making a straight way for Jesus. We think we must stop sinning before we come to Him, but that’s not true. Jesus came for the sinner. Jesus himself said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We do not have to be free from our sins before we come to Jesus. We simply must be willing to go to those low, desolate valleys of our heart and bring the sin up and place it at Jesus’ feet. It does not matter what the sin is; the cross has made us flawless. Every Mountain and Hill Made Low For some of us, our pride raises us and keeps us from making a straight way for Jesus. We think that we do not need Jesus or his forgiveness. We do not see the true nature of our sin. We mistakenly believe that we are good enough. Only when we see the true nature of Jesus and His absolute goodness can we understand the depth of our sin. We must be willing to bring our mountain of pride down and bow low at the feet of the only perfect One. The Rough Ground Shall Become Level And for all of us, other things are keeping us from making a way for Jesus — things in life that we love more than Him. These are the things that become the rough ground and rugged places on the highway of our heart. They can include selfishness, love of money, love of worldly things, unbelief…for each of us, these are different. We must be willing to dig these things up, leveling and smoothing the highway of our heart for Jesus. The Glory of the Lord Will Be Revealed John the Baptist came calling in the wilderness for his people to repent and prepare their hearts. He was just a voice, a witness to Jesus, testifying that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John could have reveled in the people’s praise, but instead he pointed them to the Lamb of God. He made every mountain and hill in his heart low and bowed at the feet of the One who came after him, but was greater than him, Jesus. We Are Called to Prepare the Way Like John the Baptist, we are called to prepare the way. We may not have his lineage or the seal of a miraculous birth, but we can still be faithful witnesses by how we live our lives. Like John the Baptist, we should point to the One whom we owe everything to—the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Then and only then will the “glory of the Lord” be revealed, and all people will see it…” Hungry for more Bible study tools and truth?At Making Him Known, we offer free verse-by-verse studies that help you dive deeper into God’s Word—one chapter at a time.📚 Explore all our current studies here. Want to reflect Christ in your own life? Read: Do You Look Like Jesus?.
Trinity Explained: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Who is the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? This post walks through what Christians believe about each Person of the Godhead and how all three are united as one God. Discover how knowing the Trinity deepens your faith and shapes your relationship with God.
What Is the Trinity? One God in Three Persons Explained Biblically
What is the Trinity, and why does it matter? This post offers a simple, biblical explanation of the one true God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one in nature, equal in glory, and distinct in relations.
The Trinity In Creation: Unlocking Genesis 1:1-5
Genesis 1:1-5 reveals the Trinity in Creation—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together from the very beginning. Discover how Scripture unfolds this truth.
One Morning Habit That Will Change Your Life Forever (15 Minute Challenge)
What if the first 15 minutes of your morning could bring clarity, peace, and purpose to your day? Instead of rushing into chaos, start your mornings with one powerful habit that prioritizes what matters most. By seeking God first, you’ll build an unshakable foundation for the day ahead. Ready to transform your mornings—and your life? Let’s dive in!