What Jesus Did! 'The Message That Was There All Along' — John 1:1

Thursday, January 1, 2026

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
— John 1:1 NLT

Key Thought

What a strange way to begin a story: "In the beginning the Word already existed." But that statement's true because that Word is Jesus! When God wanted to tell human beings about himself, when he wanted to give us Good News about salvation, when he wanted to give us a message about his love for us, he sent Jesus. Jesus is God's Word - his Message. And this Word was with the Father all along. In fact, he was and is "in very nature God." [1] Jesus is God come to us as Savior, in human flesh. He is God with us, the Messenger of all messengers and the Message of all messages.

[1] Philippians 2:6 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, Father in heaven, for giving me your Message in Jesus, the Message about your love that I can understand. Thank you for giving me this essage that I can see in action. Thank you for Jesus and all he is to me. Thank you for your Message of love, salvation, and grace in Jesus. I offer this thanks in his name, and to your glory. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

30 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 1:1
Devo: Today's Verse
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
More than old and ever new!
Illustration of John 1:1
Inspirational illustration of John 1:1 -- In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was god
What's in the Word?
Illustration of John 1:1
Heartcard of John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1-2
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."
See All 30 Related Resources about John 1:1

Illustration

Illustration of John 1:1 NLT — In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Preparing to Receive the Lord'
"[Cornelius' messengers and Peter] arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 100:3
"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Gives Breath to Everyone' (Is. 42:5)
"God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Joyful People, Joyful Pride' (2 Co. 7:11-16)
"Dear Father, who wills the good of all of your children, Give us great earnestness, eagerness to clear ourselves of evil, indignation over the hurts...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!