1. We begin, today, an adventure. We are going to explore the Gospel of John in the coming year. Why? In an age where we are told to believe what suits you, we are confronted by a Jesus who claims to be the one to believe in, the only one, the authoritative one, God’s appointed Son. In his day he challenged everything about the prevailing authority of the day and Said I am, My Father and I are the source of all power and authority.

 

So we are in uncomfortable territory. Jesus accepts no syncretism, no alternative, he offers himself as the way the truth and the life.

 

If we are serious about being followers of Jesus Christ, we need to understand his message. We are going to have to read, memorize and meditate on what our Lord and Saviour says.

 

So get to it. You can read it, listen to it on tape, watch a Video or DVD, whatever. The important objective is to know Jesus better and that will come as we are open to the Holy Spirit using this book to develop our character to like the person of whom John writes.

 Today you will need a pen or pencil and something to write on as I have left out selected words from your booklets

 

The key to this book is found in  John 20:30-31.2. If you listen to John being read, this word ‘believe’ keeps coming up. Even his conflict with the authorities is seen as their refusal to believe in him. Believing is having eternal life. That thought recurs throughout the book. It is the heart of the gospel of John. Read John 1:14

 

The Gospel of John is very different to the other three as it concentrates on the speeches of Jesus rather than his acts and parables.3a. John selects 7 miracles which he calls signs to demonstrate the divine nature of Jesus. In fact the message of John is that Jesus is the son of man, that is, truly a man, he is the Messiah, Christ or King and that he is the Son of God.

3b. The book seems to me to fall into three sections

      I.            Revelation To the world ch 1-12

   II.            Revelation To the disciples ch 13-17

 III.            Glorification in his death and resurrection ch18-21

 

 

4a. But that is not the only way of looking at the book.

 Here is also a motif of the Jewish year, with each Feast of Israel shown to be fulfilled in Christ. These are shown in Green in the notes.

 

4b. Another way of exploring John is to look at the metaphors and the ‘I am’s. These graphically describe Jesus in many ways. They will appear in red handwriting on the screen and you will have to write them into the notes yourself. The significance of the ‘I am’ lies in the name of God being the ‘I am’ and this is graphically illustrated when Jesus says that before Abraham was ‘I am’ as it prompts stoning for claiming to be God.

 

To fly through the book in the next few minutes is going to be frenetic but we will take a more considered walk through the book in the coming months, so, tighten your seat belts as we get clearance for take-off!

 

5. The first 18 verss are a summary of what is to follow. Jesus is declared as The Word, the Life and the Light. So you need to add those words in the appropriate space.

In Genesis 1:3 we read God said … and it was so. Word produces action, the Hebrew word for word meaning both word and act. God acts through Jesus. Jesus is not just a prophet he is God in action.

Jesus is introduced to the world by John the Herald of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29 God’s word and action is for Jesus to be the Passover Lamb, the demonstration of the love of God for you and me – he says ‘I love you’ by being sacrificed on a cross.

The writer John then describes Jesus meeting individuals – Andrew, Peter, Nathaniel, his mother. In fact in the early part of the book the crowds are in the background to his meeting Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the man at the pool, etc.

The Introduction ends with the first sign. Jesus transforms a wedding party – the happiest human celebration into something bigger and better. Human joys are eclipsed by the best wine produced by the giver of life.

 

6. The next section is called the revolution as Jesus takes political action in cleansing the temple

Not riding high on popularity

Teaching about New Birth

Meeting an outcast and revealing a new source of the water of life – himself.

And ending with the sign of healing the officials son – showing he could do what officialdom could not.

 

7. Section C. has three signs healing, feeding and walking on water. This emphasises that the rejections of Jesus was based on the clearest demonstration that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He heals on the Sabbath and when challenged his answer is that he is equal with God.

 

We meet the first ‘I am’ which is connected to Sign four Jesus is the Bread of Life and he demonstrates this by feeding 5000. John 6:29 & 35 show that we feed on Jesus by believing in him. John 6:68 shows that reading his word is feeding on him. It adds significance to the communion table.

 

Against the growing darkness of the hatred of the Jewish leaders, Jesus continues his ministry. In ch 7 Jesus speaks at length about his relationship with the Father.8. 

    Read 7:16-18            

 

On the last day of the feast he takes the symbolism of the Jewish celebration and applies it to himself. READ 7:37

Echoing that wonderful poem in Isaiah 55:1 and the conversation with the woman at the well.

 

This is followed by the story of the woman taken in adultery which is in or out of the Bible, depending on which translation you read! It underlines the failure of the Law – there is no righteous judge on earth – until Jesus the righteous Judge appears.

 

9. In 8:12 he is the Light of the World a theme that continues with Sign six light is contrasted with blindness. The problem is that light has come but men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil so they shut their eyes to the light.

 

But Jesus is no blind leader, he is the good shepherd he can lead properly because he will lay down his life for the sheep. He knows each of us individually. He is the door by which we can enter into fellowship with Him.

The ultimate security for the sheep – us- is that I and the Father are one. He is God himself – a claim which the Jews tried to kill him for and eventually did but not yet.

10. We are now coming to the end of Jesus’ revelation to the world. Jesus reveals another aspect of his divinity He is the resurrection and the life. Here is the triumph of a Christian funeral demonstrated by a physical resurrection. Our shepherd not only saves us, cares for us but also takes away the sting of death. No longer is there an end to life – it is the opening of the door to a great and richer one.

The shadow of the cross falls across the page. The authorities plot his death and Mary anoints him for burial.

The king enters Jerusalem on a donkey. It is the high point of His popularity. But his talk is all about the impending death and resurrection. The voice that spoke at the beginning of his ministry speaks again. The message of the light is set against the growing storm clouds. The final public words are about believing in him brining eternal life and that he speaks as the Father told him.

 

John now takes us into the upper room where Jesus is with his disciples.

The foot washing is done by Jesus to show a new way of leadership by serving.

He then issues a New Command – Love one another even as I have loved you.

12. As the disciples feel the cold darkness seeping into the room he encourages them with these wonderful words

READ JOHN 14:6

The implications are clear there is no other way; obedience to Jesus is the only life worth living. Here is the truth, not a set of propositions, a theology or a moral framework; It is Jesus who gives meaning to life, integrity to our actions. Others may be happier, richer and more fulfilled but following Jesus is more than just your destiny, it is the best place for you to be and there is more to come. The only way leads to the eternal presence with the Father.

“I am with you always” he says, is that not the richest, most thrilling and satisfying company to keep? And there is more, He is not leaving us alone, he sends his Holy Spirit to guide, encourage, teach and remind us of Him.  He is the Comforter. Here is a precious gift we can enjoy through all the trials of life.

 

Then Jesus turns to our dependence on him. “I am the True Vine” syas Jesus and you are the branches and he goes on to reveal the purpose of those trials and privations there are in the Christians life – that we may produce more fruit – Here the fruit is Love READ 15:12  But Gall 5:22 ha a more extensive list.

 

Chapters 15 and 16 are all about the Christian life its joys and sorrows and is full of promises

READ 16:7-11

16:13-15

16:20

16:23

16:33

The revelation to Jesus’ disciples ends with the great prayer of Jesus for the church, demonstrating his intimate love and concern for his people.

17:11

17:14-17

We are caught up into heaven itself sharing in that wonderful fellowship of the Father and the Son. And as we do we see Jesus leading his little band across the Kidron Valley to be betrayed, tried and crucified and rising again so that we can enter into the experience of the presence of God.

 

13. The glorification of Jesus is a further demonstration of the Kingship of Jesus

READ18:36-37

19:11

19:19

14. We need to read these pages, time and again, whispering to ourselves, “ He did it for me”, “ He loves me this much” Write the words boldly “It is finished” – the work of salvation is complete.

15. Always read on too the end. Jesus is alive – he is the resurrection and the life and now he appears to his disciples with the message “ Peace be with you”

Notice once again how individuals are picked out.  Mary Magdelene, Thomas, Peter, John himself – each finds his/her needs answered and their life changes by the risen Christ. Each has to believe for themselves. You are never one of a crowd, Jesus speaks to you individually. He can do it to you and me

 

16. Jesus is is worshipped by your love. He asks Peter three times “ Do you love me?  It is the response of the believer, repentant, humble and ready to serve the Lord and Saviour whatever the cost. So what is our response? What is our answer?

READ 21:24-25

17. 20:31