John 1:1-3
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

These 3 verses, which echo Genesis 1:1, speaks of the “Word” being with God, and also being God–whether it was thought or spoken word doesn’t seem to matter much. (The Greeks defined “Word” as the “rational principle which governs all things,” as my NIV translation states; however, the Jews defined “Word” as “Word of God,” which God used to both create the world and govern it through the Law.)

But the Word is not just the Law, nor was it just God’s spoken phrases–the Word is also Jesus! After all, the Law (Word of God) came from God and was fully God, and had its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. Thus, the phrase “the Word was with God, and the Word was God” takes on new meaning; John’s not just talking about the Mosaic Law here, but talking about Jesus, too.

I believe John puts this first in his gospel because he wants to make sure that his readers understand Jesus’ role. He was not simply a man, nor even just a prophet–He was the Son of God, the Word made flesh at long last to fulfill the Law and make it possible for us to reconnect with God. John asserts that Jesus was present with God at “the beginning,” in the midst of creation, and “nothing was made” without His assistance. This directly combats any doctrine which says that Jesus is somehow “lesser” than God the Father.