Intro: the Gospel of John was written by John the Apostle according to most church tradition. We can’t officially know as no one claims it in the writing itself. However we know that the Gospel of John was most likely written in John’s later years during a time when the early Christian Church was facing many differing opinions and so John most likely had to write this as a way to correct and teach believers in the 1st century.

It begins with an introduction of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Then it mentions that Jesus’ own creation could not recognise Him. However there were some that testified of who He was. There’s also a promise that if you believe you gain the right to become children of God. Not only that but you’ll be able to glimpse His glory.

This is immediately followed by the testimony of John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus. It showcases the Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus working in trinity to proclaim His glory. John is very blunt and tells you that not only was Jesus fully human but He was also fully divine.

Following that we get a glimpse of John repeating that testimony to two of his followers who immediately follow after Jesus. Whatever they see is so great and fulfilling that they try and get others to join. These people accept the invitation and decide to follow Christ as well. One gets a name change, and another gets a revelation. Either way Jesus shows His glory and authority to all present.

Chapter one ends with a repetition of how we will see Glory through Jesus.

The entire passage repeats the introduction. It is also sandwiched in that we get a proclamation that Jesus is God, followed by people testifying what they have seen and known about Jesus, ending with another proclamation of His divinity and a promise to see His Glory.

So while it seems that the middle portion of the sandwich doesn’t make sense, it is that portion that validates the beginning and end and creates tension to show the two’s importance.