Introduction to the Bible Lesson 22 - John 1.
Introduction a. Clement of Alexandria said that John set out to write a spiritual gospel. Matthew, Mark, and Luke can be described as factual gospels. They are called synoptic gospels (synoptic means “looks the same”). John goes a different direction. b. John is written primarily to the church to combat heresy that had been stirring regarding the nature of Jesus Christ. c. As opposed to Luke, John puts his purpose at the end. John 20:31 – But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. d. Important terms i. “Son of God” is used 29 times. ii. “Son of Man” is used 12 times. iii. “Eternal life” is used 17 times.
2.
John a. John was the youngest of the twelve disciples. He may have been no older than 10 when Jesus called him. b. John was related to the family of the high priest which gave him access to the trial of Jesus that no other disciple had. This is one reason why John gives us the longest and most detailed account of the trial (John 18). c. It is widely believed that John was the “disciple whom Jesus loved” and the “other disciple” who raced to the tomb with Peter in John 20. d. John was the only apostle to die a natural death in exile on the prison island of Patmos.
3.
Jesus as God and Man a. John 1:1-18 are some of the most important verses in the Bible. i. Jesus is the Word of God. Just as a word is an expression of thought, so Christ is the expression of God’s desire to bring His people back to Himself. ii. He is shown in relationship: 1. To God (He is eternal and divine). 2. To the created order (He is the Source of life). 3. To humanity (He is the Light of humankind, both physical and spiritual). b. The crowning verse – John 1:14.
i. John’s gospel is the Gospel of the incarnation (coming in the flesh) of God. ii. Christ is the “God-man” who literally tabernacled among us (see Exodus 40:34 for the tabernacle as the place where God dwelt in the Old Testament). iii. In a time when the Arians were teaching that Jesus was not God and the Gnostics were arguing that Jesus was not human, John goes out of his way to prove that Jesus was both. 4.
The Son is shown to the world. a. John the Baptist spoke of his coming (1:19-34). The term “witness” is prevalent in John. Some examples of those who witnessed about Jesus: i. Samaritan woman (John 4:39) ii. Jesus’ own works (John 5:36) iii. God the Father (John 5:37) iv. Scriptures (John 5:39) v. The Holy Spirit (John 15:26) vi. His disciples (John 15:27) vii. The gospel writer John himself (John 19:35) b. The power of miracles in witnessing i. Water to wine (John 2:1-11) ii. Healing officer’s son (John 4:46-54) iii. Cripple for 38 years (John 5:1-9) iv. Feeding of the 5000 (John 6:4-13) v. Walking on water (John 6:16-21) vi. Sight to blind man (John 9:1-38) vii. Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-46) viii. Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) ix. The second haul of fishes (John 21:1-14)
Table Talk: Choose one of the miracles above. Is there anything in the text that tells us how the miracle is tied to the proclamation of the gospel? 5.
The “I AM” statements of Jesus a. I am the bread of life (John 6:35). b. I am the light of the world (John 8:12). c. I am the door (John 10:7). d. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11,14). e. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
f. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). g. I am the true vine (John 15:1). Table Talk: Choose one of the “I AM” statements. If someone were to ask you why Jesus chose this specific I AM statement, how would you respond in one sentence? 6.
Two key stories a. Chapter 8: Jesus reveals His true nature. i. Disputes: 1. Over Jesus’ testimony (John 8:12-20). “Where is your father?” (John 8:19). 2. Over who Jesus is (John 8:21-30). “Who are you?” (John 8:25). 3. Over whose children Jesus’ opponents are (John 8:31-47). “How can you say that we will be set free?” (John 8:33). ii. Jesus’ claims about Himself: 1. I am not possessed by a demon. “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” (John 8:48). 2. I honor my Father. “Are you greater than our father Abraham? Who do you think you are?” (John 8:53). 3. Key: Before Abraham was born, I AM (John 8:58). b. Chapter 13: Jesus shows his true servanthood: i. By washing his disciples’ feet (John 13:2-17). ii. By giving them a new command to love one another (John 13:3335).
7.
In Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, Jesus shows the power of faith. a. Jesus’ prayer in chapter 17 shows his incredible desire to do the will of God (John 17:1-5). b. During the trial, John goes out of his way to contrast Jesus with the unbelief of those around him: i. Peter (John 18:10-11; 15-18; 25-27) ii. The high priests (John 18:19-24) iii. Pilate (John 18:28-40) c. His resurrection in John 20 shows the victory of faith over sorrow (John 20:10-18); over fear (John 20:19-23); and over doubt (John 20:24-29).
Discuss: Now that we have talked about each gospel, which one (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) resonates with you the most? Why?