John— the Gospel of the Son of God
01.25.23
No man has seen God at any time: the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18)
We have thus far looked at the three Synoptic (similar) Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke. These were all written within thirty years or so of Jesus’ death. They are similar in their presentation, though written to different audiences. John however wrote his Gospel a full thirty years later than the others. Many people had come to Christ, churches had sprung up all over the Roman Empire, and certain questions had arisen as to the deity of Christ. John felt led of the Lord to write an entirely new book to authenticate the Person of the Lord Jesus—that He is indeed God in the flesh.
The Synoptics combine together to tell us much about Jesus. Matthew, written to the Jews, tells us that He is the King of the Jews. In Mark we find the Servant of the Lord, written to the Romans. To the Greeks Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man. John completed the message by telling us that Christ is the Son of God, God in the flesh, and wrote to the whole world.
John was an Apostle, an eyewitness to the ministry of Christ. He was the son of Zebedee, and the brother of James, all fishermen. Their mother, Salome, was a sister to Mary, Jesus’ mother. This blood relationship helps us to understand why John is referred to as ‘the beloved disciple.’ He was one of the inner circle, with James and Peter, who looked on at the Mount of Transfiguration. After Christ’s ascension, John took care of Mary.
Probably more than any other book of the Bible, John clearly states the theme and purpose of his Gospel. Significantly, this statement of purpose follows Thomas’ encounter with the resurrected Savior. If you recall, Thomas had doubted the reality of the resurrection. Immediately after this the Lord appeared to the disciples and addressed Thomas telling him to examine him and to believe. Thomas then declared, My Lord and my God! The Lord then said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.”
It is following this exchange and the focus on the need of believing in Jesus that John gives us the theme and statement of purpose (20:30, 31): And many other signs truly Jesus did in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John wrote his Gospel in order to help people to be able to believe in, place their faith in Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God, in order that they might have life!
Christ is presented in so many ways: the Master Teacher, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, and the Good Shepherd, just to name a few.
John focused on eight things that Jesus did, signs of His Deity. These are in order: turning the water to wine, curing the nobleman’s son and the paralytic, the feeding of the 5000, walking on the water, giving sight to the blind, raising Lazarus, and finally the catch of the multitude of fishes. Like an octave with eight notes, these eight miracles, things only God could do, show forth the glory of God. Jesus is God, but He is also the Savior. He loves you. Do you know Him?