A Johannine Study (John 1:18)

18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

When the sun is out in full force, the naked human eye cannot stare at it directly for long. Even a short glance can cause discomfort or temporary blindness. Prolonged exposure can cause burns on the retina. The eye is simply incapable of handling the effects of sunlight. Similarly, we are incapable of witnessing the fullness of God’s glory without disastrous consequences. We learn in Exodus 33:29-23 that the weight of his glory can destroy us. God is infinitely holy and we are finite and sinful. In light of this juxtaposition, we are not even a speck compared to God. As less than specks, we can barely behold the brightness of the sun. It is no wonder, then, that as less than specks it is impossible for us to behold the brightness of God’s glory without perishing.

Firstly, God has graciously kept the physical manifestation of his glory from being seen in order that we might live. John writes, “No one has ever seen God; the only God.” Elsewhere in the Bible, it is recorded that God’s presence was with the Israelites (Leviticus 26:11-12). But his presence was not without some separation. He dwelt among them in a large tent called a tabernacle, which would later be replaced by a temple. The Israelites were not allowed into the inner chamber of the tabernacle and temple. Only the high priest could enter this area, which was called The Most Holy of Holies. And even he was only allowed to enter it once a year, on the Day of Atonement. God had censored his glory from his people, not as a curse, but as a blessing. Had he made his glory visible, none of the Israelites would have lived.

Secondly, God graciously reveals his glory through his Son so that we might live. John writes, “who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”A more literal translation of “who is at the Father’s side” is “who is in the bosom of the Father.” Using words, John is painting a picture of God the Son resting on the chest of God the Father. It is a metaphor for intimacy. The Father and the Son are close, familiar, and cognizant of one another. This means that Jesus knows everything about God the Father. He knows his glory, and he does not perish. But this relationship is not exclusive, and the glory of God is not withheld forever. Jesus makes the Father known to us. In other words, in Jesus Christ we witness the glory of God (John 1:14) without perishing.

What does all of this mean? To behold the glory of God, where we formerly could not without the gospel, means that we can enjoy God! God is no longer elusive and remote, though that was a blessing too. Now, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have access to God. He dwelt among us without separation. He saves us so that we could have intimacy with him. He opens our eyes so that we could see him. And we do not perish.