The Gospel of John: Jesus the Son of God
God's Story in Scripture • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 46:29
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· 15 viewsGenerally, when someone writes something, they do so in order to convey information in hopes of influencing belief that the data is true or worthy of being believed. John explicitly wrote his gospel toward that end by his selection of signs and statements in order to garner belief that leads to life.
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What can we believe?
What can we believe?
Several years ago I heard a story about two shoe salesmen who went to a south pacific island. Upon arriving, the first looked around, observed the people and wrote a note back to his superiors “The prospects are not good, nobody wears shoes here.”
The second salesmen arrived at the same island and assessed the same group of people and wrote back to his superiors - “The market is ripe for shoes, get a container ready to ship, no body wears shoes here - yet.”
The same data resulted in drastically different messages.
Curating data in order to discern truth that leads toward action is challenging. In our current age - there is information overload being thrown at us from every direction. Whether it’s the election results, or the vaccine, or the pandemic response, or even the weather - the information is daunting. What we choose to believe from that information guides our actions and can have a drastic impact in our lives.
Over the last few weeks, as we’ve been looking at the Gospels, we’ve seen that each of these first three gospel writers have taken the same basic information about Jesus’ life and ministry and packaged it in a way to elicit some sort of a response from their readers.
Today, we come to the book of John - and we get to look at what he chose to assemble in his gospel for his readers.
Introducing John
Introducing John
The Gospel of John is named for its likely author - the Apostle John - one of Jesus’ disciples. It was likely written long after the other three gospels - toward the end of the first century. Where the other gospels often shared a good bit of their information, John is the most unique. Some scholars estimate that over 90 percent of the book is distinct from the other Gospels. It’s almost as though John could see what the others wrote and intentionally chose to take a different approach.
The book itself has a fairly simply structure and outline. The prologue of the first 18 verses leads way to two large sections of material - one dealing with his “teaching and ministry” (1:19-12:10) and the second section focuses on passion week (12:12-20:31). The final chapter becomes a sort of prologue summarizing post resurrection appearances. (Dever and deSilva)
There are several unique elements to the Gospel of John.
Greek scholars have commented that the language is quite straightforward and easy to read. (Gromacki)
John also has a huge body of teaching and conversations that don’t appear in the other gospels. For example, Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in chapter 3 and then his conversation with the Samaritan woman in chapter 4. In an of itself, the placement of these two stories is quite interesting. Nicodemus, being a sort of high-society religious leader and the Samaritan woman being low-society. Robert Gromacki writes:
New Testament Survey 4:1–45
No doubt John recorded the interviews with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman back to back in order to prove that all men and women, no matter where they are in the realm of human experience, need to and can be saved through a personal encounter with the Savior.
One of the other unique things that John does in his Gospel is to elevate the deity of Christ. In the prologue, John talks about how Jesus uniquely existed before he was born.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John continues
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
(possibly skip or summarize the thought on wisdom)
There was a strain of Judaism in John’s time that elevated wisdom. In fact, based on some of what is written in Proverbs and then later in some of the non-biblical writings, wisdom is personified as being from above and with God at the beginning. According to this tradition, wisdom roamed the earth in search for a home. When no suitable home was found, wisdom returned to God, leaving earth devoid of wisdom.
It seems like in talking about Jesus as the “logos” from God, John is bringing some comparison, but contrasting the ministry of the logos and the further work of the Spirit. (deSilva)
This word or logos, this man, is not merely a man - he is of God and is God himself. John seeks to make that clear and has written his book intentionally so that we would believe that.
In fact, one of the other unique elements of the book is the presence of the purpose statement. Luke told us that he wrote to provide an orderly account for Theophilus. John has an entirely different purpose.
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John makes it plain that the things he included in this book are there for a specific purpose - in order to foster a belief in Jesus being the Messiah or Christ and the Son of God. This belief will have a life-changing impact.
Let’s take a look at the book of John in light of John’s purpose statement.
What are “these”?
What are “these”?
Let’s put this purpose statement in a little more context. After Jesus rose from the dead, he had appeared to some of the disciples, but Thomas wasn’t there.
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
So John continues...
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
So here, most of the disciples were given the privilege of seeing this sign of Jesus resurrection. Thomas refused to believe on their testimony and so Jesus addressed him specifically.
While referencing Thomas, John seems to call out those who would not have an opportunity to see - calling them blessed. John is referencing his readers - which includes us.
So let’s think about “these” what are these?
John specifically says:
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
It seems like in verse 31 “these” refer to the signs that Jesus has performed. You see, throughout the book, John selects some signs or miracles that he is hoping would help his readers believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Let’s consider these briefly.
Sign 1: Changing the water to wine (John 2:1-11)
So at this wedding, Jesus is called upon by his mother to help. Reluctantly he asks for servants to fill six stone jars with water. He then asks them to serve some to the master of the ceremony - who replies that this is the best wine they’ve had yet.
John concludes this miracle with this statement:
This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
This sign was the first of more to come - and it resulted in belief in the disciples.
So this first sign seemed to show that Jesus could do something miraculous - changing a liquid from one kind to another.
Sign 2: Healing the official’s son (John 4:46-54)
After spending some time away from Galilee, Jesus returns to the same town where he performed his first sign. An official from another town in the region heard that Jesus was there and asked for help. Interestingly, Jesus actually sort of scolds him for asking for a sign.
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Nevertheless, Jesus sends the man on his way - healing the boy at that moment who was a day’s walk away.
John again summarizes and points out this sign:
This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
So this second sign, seemed to show that Jesus had the power to heal someone from an illness - in this case a fever.
Sign 3: Healing the invalid (John 5:1-15)
In the very next chapter, we find Jesus in Jerusalem on a Sabbath day. He encounters a man who had been an invalid for many years. He healed him, resulting in a bit of a controversy with the religious leaders - because the healing happened on the sabbath.
The signs continue to escalate in their significance and power - not only can he heal from illnesses, but by healing this man, John showed that Jesus can heal even those who are severely disabled - and have been for decades.
Sign 4: Feeding the multitude (John 6:5-15)
Back in Galilee, Jesus is teaching a multitude of people. After several days, He calls for his disciples to feed the crowd. Andrew brings a boy to Jesus who has some bread and fish. Jesus then blesses it and they feed the crowd that numbered about 5000 men.
John comments on the crowd’s response:
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
This sign seemed to demonstrate that Jesus had power to multiply. Where the other signs impacted a handful to maybe a few hundred people - here we see thousands impacted by this sign.
Sign 5: Walking on water (John 6:16-21)
After feeding the multitude, Jesus went up to a mountain to pray and sent his disciples across the water. Jesus then came walking to them on the water. John doesn’t explicitly call this a sign, but it did create quite a conversation when Jesus got to the port on the other side.
Sign 6: Healing the blind man (John 9:1-7)
A teaching moment with his disciples creates an opportunity for Jesus to bless a man that had been blind from birth. As with the healing of the invalid man, this healing happened on a Sabbath and resulted in the man being kicked out of the synagogue. It also resulted in the man’s belief in Jesus.
Here, John seems to be pointing out that not only does Jesus have the ability to heal someone from something that happened to them ( the fever and disability), but with this man born blind, he can fix something that never worked.
Which brings us to...
Sign 7: Raising Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
After Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus is able to restore his life, reversing the decay that had set in.
In a conversation before the healing, Mary, Lazarus’ sister makes a profound profession of belief:
She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
After Lazarus is raised from the dead, John remarks:
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,
Notice, that all of these signs happen in the first half of the book. Many of these result in people believing in who Jesus is and in his mission.
Some of the religious leaders were so threatened by these signs that they sought to kill both Jesus and Lazarus.
Which brings us to...
The Ultimate Sign: Jesus’ Resurrection (John 20:1-29)
The ultimate sign that becomes the climax for John’s argument is Jesus’ own resurrection. Not only can Jesus raise the dead, but He can raise himself from death.
Earlier in his ministry, he gave some insight into what would happen.
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
So Jesus told them this would happen and he made it happen. Now it’s time for people to believe.
Which brings us to our next point...
Why “these”?
Why “these”?
We’ve seen that these miraculous signs fostered belief and disbelief in some people. John specifically chose these signs as catalysts to foster belief among his audience.
Belief is a big thing for John, in fact it shows up some 54 times throughout the book.
You see, it’s one thing for someone to say something - but another thing for people to fulfill what they say. I can tell you you that I can fly, but it’s such a preposterous thought that you would not believe me unless I could defy gravity and move around in the air - without trickery.
In Jesus’ day, there was so much Messiah fever that people were looking for someone. Some false Messiah’s would come up and draw a crowd for a time on their charisma alone - only to die and fade into history.
There were people who assumed that John the Baptist was the Christ - but he continually denied it and pointed to Jesus.
For John, the works that Jesus did proved that He was the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus even urged people to consider His works.
When people asked for plain talk - he referenced his works.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.
Shortly after this, Jesus continued...
If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
You see, belief in Jesus is not a belief in some trendy or temporary miracle worker.
David deSilva writes:
The miracle is not merely a beneficial act: it has not achieved its goal unless it stimulates belief among the witnesses and leads them to recognize God at work in and revealing God’s self through Jesus.
Belief in the words of Jesus should result in belief in who he is...
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
His works would reveal more about Him. His words help us to see what his works mean.
One of the other uniquenesses in John’s Gospel is the presence of several “I am” statements. In these places, Jesus helps us to understand who he is - not by saying he is the Christ the Son of God, but by describing what the Christ would do and his relationship to us.
Just as with the signs, John records seven “metaphorical” “I am” statements and one “Absolute” “I am”.
Metaphorical “I am” Statements (ESVSB, 2041)
I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51)
I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5)
I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9)
I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
I am the true vine (John 15:1)
But, amidst all of these metaphorical statements, Jesus also makes a few...
Absolute “I am” statements (John 6:20; 8:24, 28, 58; 18:5)
In all of the other “I am” statements, Jesus is using I am like we would - I am Joel or I am a pastor or I am a father. Each of those are roles or titles that describe something about me. For Jesus, those metaphorical statements describe his office, his work. But these absolute “I am” statements are bold and would cause his Jewish listeners to remember God’s conversation with Moses:
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Let’s look briefly at John 8. There is a concentration of these absolute “I am” statements. In English, we can sometimes miss these because the translators have added in the word “he” for readability.
“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
This is from the NASB - notice that they put “He” in italics. If your translation does that - it’s because they have added that word. It’s not there in Greek. The Greek would literally say, “for if you do not believe that I AM you will die in the sins of you.”
So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.
Again - the “he” is added in English - in some ways to get us back to “Son of Man,” but Jesus is making a bold claim about himself.
Finally, later in this same chapter, Jesus makes the boldest of these absolute “I am” statements:
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
This was so offensive to his listeners that they wanted to stone him right there.
But, what’s the big deal about these I am statements?
Well, when God told Moses - “I am that I am” or that “I am sent you” - He was talking about His self- existent nature. He has no beginning or end - he simply is.
John, in his prologue suggested that Jesus, the Word, is this same self-existent God:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Now, in the “I am” statements, Jesus is affirming John’s initial description - that He is God.
So John organized his book around seven signs as evidence to prove who Jesus is. These signs, along with Jesus’ own words, should result in belief that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of God.
But there is one final element of John’s purpose statement:
but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
So what is the result of belief?
So what is the result of belief?
John would tell us plainly - the result of this belief is “life.”
Ok, end of sermon - believe and have life.
Not quite, what does he mean by life? You might be far from God right now, but you are alive - you have breath in your lungs and your organs are working. You don’t have to believe in anything to have that kind of life - you simply have it until you don’t.
That kind of life would equate to the Greek word “bios.” Bios seems to refer to existence or to the physical nature of things.
The word that John uses here for life and throughout most of the rest of his gospel is the word “zoe.” Zoe has a broad range of meaning, but always seems to be more than simply existing or even the physical things of life.
So John, in saying that belief would result in life in his name, it seems like he is referring to
Abundant life - a life of meaning and purpose.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
But I think, there is another element to this life that John’s is talking about...
Eternal life
In the book of John, he uses two different words for life - zoe, as we’ve already discussed, and psuche - which is sort of like soul. Of the 47 times that we read “life” in our English bibles, 36 of those are “Zoe.” Of those 36 - 17 times Zoe is paired with the Greek word for “eternal.”
Eternal life is a big part of what this belief in Jesus taught.
Let’s consider just a few of these:
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Belief in the Son results in eternal life.
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
In Jesus’ prayer on the night before he was crucified, John records this:
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
There is a tension that we get to experience. We have eternal life in Jesus Christ, but we don’t get to experience that fully until after we die here. There is a sort of “already, but not yet.”
deSilva comments:
An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation Eschatology in the Fourth Gospel
On the one hand, believers “have” eternal life in the present (Jn 3:36). Believers have already passed from death to life, possessing eternal life now (Jn 5:24). Deliverance and judgment, salvation and condemnation are already being determined in an individual’s encounter with Jesus (Jn 3:18). On the other hand, they still look forward to resurrection to the life of the world to come (Jn 11:23–26), to being “raised up on the last day” (Jn 6:39–40, 54), to a future judgment (Jn 12:48), and to eternal life beyond death in this world (Jn 12:25).
So - our belief in Jesus results in an abundant life now and eternal life - both now and later.
Closing thoughts
Closing thoughts
John carefully recorded several of Jesus miraculous signs that confirmed statements that he made about himself in order that you and I might believe without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Beloved, rejoice in the life that you and I have in Jesus Christ. Live that life abundantly now. Look forward to that time when we will get to enjoy eternal life with Christ.
Friend, if you do not yet believe, I pray that today your eyes have been opened. My hope is that by reading and contemplating the book of John, you can see that Jesus is the Son of God. That he came to give abundant life and eternal life. Believe in who he is and what he has done.
Let’s pray.
Memory Verse:
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Sources:
Beale, G.K., Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, 2012.
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
deSilva, David Arthur. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Dever, Mark, The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept, Crossway, Wheaton, 2005.
Gromacki, Robert G. New Testament Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1974.
Osbeck, Kenneth W. Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1996.