vs 1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

Breaking the Surface: John immediately connects Jesus with God and as being with God since the “beginning” and as BEING God.  There is no flowery introduction.  John is obviously making the point that everything he writes from here on out is predicated on the fact that Jesus is God.  In Revelation 19:13, John again uses this term in reference to Jesus.  “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and the name by which he is called is The Word of God”.  No mistaking who John is referencing as he begins writing in John and who he concludes writing about in Revelation.

Digging Deeper:  Why is this important for the reader of John’s Gospel?  I mean, it’s the very first thing he inks.  As we read on we realize that understanding and knowing WHO Jesus is, will be the central subject of his gospel account.  I would argue that it really is the central subject of all of Scripture.

So, what are some of the things that people said and are saying about Jesus and his identity?  They called him many names-prophet, teacher, Rabbi, friend.  Today, He’s called those same things.  Additionally, with the advent of the internet where everyone who has a keyboard and a thought can be an expert, you can find an article or supposed “proof” about Jesus being all of those to being a “myth” as a young man and I discussed recently.  If someone thinks it, you can find it.  But John is making sure that those who read this understand exactly who He is writing about.  John is definitive in his sentence and leaves no room for doubt.

Later in Jesus ministry, after denouncing the Pharisees and Sadducees for their insincere request of a sign from Jesus as proof of His deity, Jesus uses a previous miracle to make his point to the disciples.  When they found themselves without bread, Jesus  Jesus gave them a rather and seemingly tangential response to their dilemma, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  They were very confused.  Jesus then explained what he meant by admonishing their faith in talking about physical bread and wondering why Jesus would be warning them about the leaven that the Pharisees and Sadducees would give them.  Jesus meant (and clearly explains to them) that he was not talking about being aware of the leaven they might provide for the making of physical bread but about the “teaching they would provide for the soul.”

So, then Jesus asks them 2 questions:  In Matt 15:13-14 Jesus says, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say z Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”   I don’t believe that Jesus was as interested in their response to this question but, rather, he was using this question to set up the next question, which was and is the KEY question He asks all of us”.  He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt 15:15, ESV).  Simon (Peter) responds with the correct answer, “You are the Christ, the son of the Living God” (Matt 15:16, ESV).

So What?: John establishes immediately that he is writing about the Son of God, Jesus.  There is no mistaking who he will spend the next 21 chapters writing about.  Despite the fact that many will call Jesus different names or claim he doesn’t exist, John is staking his integrity on the fact that the One he is writing about is Jesus, God incarnate, who was and is and is to come.  Today, and every day, Jesus asks us the same questions He asked the disciples.  Who do others say that I am?  Who do YOU say that I am?  I think it’s important for us to ask them together of ourselves each day.

By asking the first question, we are reminded that there are many who do not believe, teach or live as if Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God.  Then, Jesus asks us, “who do YOU say that I am”?  He says it to us daily.  The first time we understand and believe and respond as Peter did, our lives are changed forever.  Then, every day we take a breath and we answer that question, our lives should reflect that truth and we can be a catalyst for changing others lives forever.

So, who do YOU say that Jesus is?

Day 1 of the conference:

• Tim Keller spoke to us in the morning.  A great message entitled The Gospel In You (listen by clicking the title)
• Later in the afternoon, Tim Keller held a special session re. Gospel Poor and a follow on Q&A session
• Steve Sellers, Campus Crusade’s President of US Ministries addressed the throng with the message, Embracing the Culture of Our Calling
• Throughout Steve’s message, tremendous stories of those who are leaving a lasting legacy for Kingdom impact were shared (listen here)
• In addition to these events, I (Jeff) participated in our first online push to use Social Networking tools DURING the conference.  I was part of a team that monitored Twitter feeds, Facebook updates and Text Messages that came in during the morning session.  We had the chance to share some fun, interesting and powerful messages the staff was sharing live.  It was a privilege to participate (even got my ugly mug on the big jumbo-tron screen .

Some photos from Day 1:

Those were the highlights for day 1 of the US Staff conference.  We’ve been able to connect with some wonderful friends that we’ve made who are on staff with CCC in other ministries as well as some of our friends at FamilyLife that we don’t see regularly.  Day 1 was a success!

• Sue and Jaclyn had a chance to experience the “wild west” on some slow and deliberate horses in Estes Park. 
• We helped set up the FamilyLife booth that will be open to the rest of the Crusade staff most of the time during the conference.  The intent of the booth is to provide other Campus ministries a taste of what is happening at FamilyLife and what resources are available to help them in their marriages and ministries.
• Trying out some of the restaurants near our hotel.
• Enjoying the wonderful scenery and time together as a family.  Though she’s been a good sport, I’m sure Jaclyn will really enjoy it even more when the conference starts so she can gather with her “homies” . 
• Finding interesting places to write, think and prepare for my upcoming seminar.  I will be co-leading a seminar on using Social Media/Networking tools to share the love and truth of Christ with a whole new generation of people.  Currently, I’m sitting at a coffee shop that was meant to make me feel like I was back in the “Razorback” nation–The Wild Boar Coffee shop  (see pic)
• Major storm last night in Fort Collins with over 2 inches of rain with some hail in about 2 hours.  Drying out this morning/afternoon.
• Sue’s doing the laundry today.  Pretty riveting stuff.  Would take a picture but not sure she would appreciate that much so I’ll keep it to text .

So, that’s about it.  Ready to begin the conference tonight at the “fair”.  The parking lot of Moby Arena is cordoned off so they can turn it into a “county fair” feel.  Some rides, carnival food and a place where we can all connect and fellowship to kick off the Conference.

By the way, if you want to follow along with some of the conference, you can check back here regularly (I’ll try to post some pics and maybe even some video), check out the CCC Conference Facebook Page or follow on Twitter.