But to all who received him, he gave them the right to become children of God – to those who believe in his name – they were born not as the result of a blood-line, nor physical desire, nor a man’s choice but by God’s action.

And the Word took up blood and bones and camped among us, and we marked with rapt attention his glory, glory as a father’s only child – he was full of grace and truth…
John bore witness about him and proclaimed: ‘This man was the one I spoke about: “The one who comes after me (in time) is before me (in status) because he existed before me (in time). ’”

… for we all have received from his fulness: grace then grace.
… for although the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ.
Nobody has ever seen God. The only child – God! – who is so close to the Father’s heart –that one has shown us God.

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And this is the testimony of John when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him the question ‘Who are you?’ – and he openly confessed without hesitation: ‘I am not the Christ.’ And they questioned him ‘What then? Are you Elijah? And he said ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ and he answered ‘No’.

So they said to him ‘Who are you? Tell us so that we might give an answer to those who sent us. What are you saying about yourself?

He spoke up ‘I am a voice crying in the wilderness. “Straighten the path of the Lord.”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.