John 1 - NIV God’s Justice Bible

1:1–18 Revelation in the Flesh Johns opens with a new twist in the story of God’s dealings with humankind: the Creator irrupts in human history, taking upon himself the experience of his creatures. He exposes himself to the belligerence of the sinful and unbelieving order (the world) and rejection from his own people. Echoes of the exodus liberation story are present in these verses, but John’s story represents the fulfillment of what that exodus promised. Whereas during the exodus the tabernacle represented God’s presence with Israel, now God comes to dwell with humanity in human flesh. Whereas God’s truth and mercy were partially revealed through Moses in the law, now the incarnate Word brings the full revelation. A renewed people of God is in the making.

1:29–34 Everyone Is Included! God designated the sacrifices as a means for Israel to make peace with him. But the Baptist asserts that Jesus is the sacrifice provided by God himself as solution for the sins of the whole world. This is totally unexpected. God’s justice encompasses all his creatures, not only Israel, and he takes upon himself the cost entailed in offering reconciliation.