JOHN
I would like to begin a series of Bible studies, beginning with the Gospel of John. I chose John because this is the first book I read and it opened my heart and eyes. This is where I discovered God to be a living God, full of love and forgiveness and willing to shower us with His grace (unmerited favor). I would like to approach each chapter with 3 questions; what does it say, what does it mean and how can I apply it to my life.
The theme of the Gospel of John is the Deity of Christ; it deals with the nature and person of Christ and the meaning of faith in Him. John’s purpose in this Gospel was to deliver the message that Jesus is the Son of God and believing in Him would give you eternal life. See John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish.” We see Jesus as the manifestation of God the Father. The first 2 verses declare the deity of Christ; ‘in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.’ Verses 3-5 teach that He created all things and He was to be the light of mankind as a lit candle in a dark room. Unfortunately man did not understand the meaning of His presence. Verses 6-8 tell of John the Baptist and his position of being the forerunner for Jesus and to proclaim His coming. Verses 9-15 teach that Jesus was in the world and the world did not know who He was. Even His own people refused to acknowledge or accept Him. For those who did believe Him, He gave the power to become children of God; adopted children of God, that is, in His family nonetheless. Verse 14 portrays the glory which we are to be indebted forever; “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Verses 15-34 are John’s testimony and witness of Jesus being full of grace and truth, conversely Moses presented the law. The Jews wanted to know who John was and he simply told them that he was a messenger of God sent beforehand to present Jesus. As said in the book of Isaiah (prophetic) to, ‘make straight the way of the Lord.’ John explained that he was baptizing in water, (this baptism was for repentance only), and that Jesus was coming. He told them in no uncertain terms that they didn’t have a clue as to who Jesus was in spite of the many, many prophetic scriptures supporting His arrival. When Jesus had John baptize Him in the water, John saw the Spirit of God descending from Heaven like a dove upon Him. The Father had already told John that the One on whom he sees the Spirit descend, it is He that is the Son of God and is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. All new believers receive the Holy Spirit when they accept Jesus as Savior
Verses 35-51 discuss the gathering of His disciples; as Jesus was walking through town His power and their faith compelled His followers to join Him, and without hesitation. John10:14, “I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
The question, ‘what does it mean’ is something each one of us should meditate upon to help them arrive at their own conclusions; I can share the meaning of it to me with you. If this were a live Bible class, each one would bring the meaning of the chapter with them and we would all share. As for me, it means Jesus is alive and well, always existed, and always will. I see the Deity of Christ; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe He did come to earth for me, as well as anyone who is willing to accept Him as Lord and Savior. It also means that I am to commit my life to Him and obey Him. I see love, forgiveness, and grace in Him. I also understand how man can be obstinate to the point of losing his life forever. I see the power of displaying a truly forgiving and unconditional love when we see men drop what they’re doing and follow Him with total commitment. I am totally comfortable with what I see in this chapter. It is both a delight to my heart and most encouraging.
The application of what I see and understand in John 1 is simple for me: I believe without any doubt what I see and feel, and will take that conviction and the strength it affords me and try to live my life in a manner worthy of a child of God. I would love to be like Jesus in character, but I will gladly settle for striving to be that way. I will always wear my banner of conviction and pray to help others understand that God loves them and has an open invitation to all. For those who have the power of conviction, wear it in humility as Jesus did, and help those as Jesus did, to recognize the vast emptiness within themselves. As Jesus said, “Come and see,” not see and come, but “come” first and you will see afterward.
