_New Series. The Gospel according to St. John._
_To read--St. John i. 1-14. Golden Text--Ver. 4._
New Year--new course of lessons. This Gospel records the deeper spiritual truths of Christ's teaching, especially about His own Nature and Person. It sets Christ forth as God. St. John tells his object in writing a fourth Gospel in chap. xx. 31, which the class should read.
I. =The Nature of Christ= (1-3). _Eternal._ In the beginning, not of the world, but before all creation, from everlasting. _Divine Word._ Christ is the expression of the mind of God. Came to reveal God to man (xv. 15). _Living Person._ The Word not a mere attribute or power of God but a distinct Person. "With God" from everlasting. Not inferior to the Father, but very God Himself. _Creator._ As well as Saviour and Governor of the world (read Col. i. 16, 17; Heb. i. 2).
II. =The Office of Christ= (4-13). _Source of Life._ As very God He had life in Himself, which He poured forth on His creation (vv. 25, 26; xvii. 2). _Source of light._ The life from Son of God is cause of man's inward spiritual light by which he is saved. _Himself the light._ World was in spiritual darkness at Christ's coming. _Giver of light._ No man has light in himself, however great his natural powers. All true light is from Christ.
_Rejected._ By His own. The world He made knew not its Creator (1 Cor. i. 21). The nation He chose to be His own special people (Deut. vii. 6) received Him not.
_Received._ By a few--both Jews and Gentiles; such as Nicodemus the ruler (iii. 1, 2), the disciples from Galilee (ii. 11), and others. How did they receive Him? By believing in Him. This faith, itself the gift of God, rewarded by further privilege of becoming God's sons--born into God's family by a new and spiritual birth (iii. 3).
III. =The Glory of Christ= (14). Word was made flesh by taking to Himself man's human nature. He dwelt (_literally_ "pitched His tent") with men, full of mercy to heal bodies and souls, full of God's truth to teach.
=Lessons.= 1. _Hold fast the Christian faith._ Jesus Christ one for ever with the Father. _God_--eternal, glorious, Creator, Giver of light and life to the soul--yet _Man_, like one of us.
2. _Live the Christian life._ Jesus is our example, that we should follow His steps.