John

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John’s gospel is quite different in its approach from the other three gospel accounts (known collectively as the synoptic gospels). Bible scholars tend to agree that John’s was probably the last of the gospels to be written. It seems that he wrote it to supplement rather than merely repeat what the others had written.

Father, Son and Spirit

John does not appear to address either Jews or Gentiles in particular. One of his primary aims is to establish Jesus’ true nature as the Son of God and therefore part of the Trinity. The actual word ‘trinity’ doesn’t appear anywhere in the Bible but the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit features very strongly in the book of John. You’ll read much about Jesus being sent by the Father, representing the Father, making the Father known and giving glory to the Father. You’ll read much about the Holy Spirit and how he’s sent by Jesus to equip and enable Christians to do the same things as he did. 

Seven Miracles and Signs

John structures his proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, around seven selected miracles which are spoken of as signs – they point to who Jesus is. He states that he’s recorded these particular miracles so that his readers may believe who Jesus is and, by believing, have life in his name (John 20:30,31). John’s purpose is not to establish theoretical doctrine for the sake of it but to be used by the Holy Spirit to inspire a living and continuing faith.

The seven miracles each reveal different aspects of the rule and reign of Jesus:

  1. Changing water into wine (2:1-11) Quality: Jesus makes things better.  He pours out amazing blessings in our lives.
  2. Healing the nobleman’sson (4:46-54) Space: Jesus is not limited by being in a certain place but his power extends throughout the earth
  3. Healing the lame man at Bethesda (5:1-9) Time: Jesus is not limited by how long the problem has existed or whether or not it’s a good time in human terms
  4. Feeding the five thousand (6:1-14) Quantity: Jesus is not limited by a lack of resources – He can multiply anything
  5. Walking on water (6:16-21) Natural law: Jesus is not limited by the laws of science and nature
  6. Healing the man born blind (9:1-12) Circumstance:  Jesus is not limited by ‘misfortune’ or bad circumstances in life
  7. Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-46) Death: Jesus is not limited by the power of death – He reigns in life

 ‘I Am…’

Another characteristic of John is the set of ‘I am…’ statements: 

  1. I am the bread of life (6:48)
  2. I am the light of the world (8:12)
  3. I am the door (10:9)
  4. I am the good shepherd (10:11)
  5. I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
  6. I am the way, and the truth, and the life (14:6)
  7. I am the true vine (15:1)

Moses asked God what he should tell the Israelites when they asked him who had sent him.  God told Moses to tell them that ‘I Am’ had sent him (Exodus 3:14).  Through Exodus 3 in particular we discover that ‘I Am’ is connected with ‘Yahweh,’ the covenant name of God.  Jesus repeatedly used the ‘I am’ expression to reveal his true divine nature.  In John 8:58 we read:

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”  (ESV)

All the miracles and most of the ‘I am’ statements are recorded in the first half of the John’s gospel. The first twelve chapters focus on the three and a half years of Jesus’ public ministry. They establish who Jesus is. By way of contrast, chapters 13-21 describe the events and intimate conversations of the week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. These latter chapters have a strong emphasis on what Jesus wanted to teach his followers in preparing them for life, mission and ministry.

Preparing His Disciples

Jesus tells his disciples that he is sending them into the world in the same way that the Father sent him into the world (John 20:21). He explains to them the importance of faith and the Holy Spirit. Through his gospel, John makes it clear that having understood who he is, Jesus wants those who believe in him to make him known throughout the earth:

“…whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
 (John 14:12  ESV)

This Book Background was written by Richard Anniss