John’s Gospel: A Revelation
Good morning, beloved of God! May the Lord richly bless us with wisdom and grace as we reflect on His word. Over the next couple of months, we will be diving into the Gospel of John, exploring its themes, testimonies, and teachings.
Today, our focus will be on two key aspects:
Who John the Apostle was
A general overview of his Gospel
Who Was John the Apostle?
John, the inspired writer of this Gospel, was one of Jesus’ closest disciples. He was the fourth apostle listed in Scripture, following Simon Peter, Andrew, and his brother James. Before becoming a disciple, John was a fisherman, working alongside his brother under the guidance of their father, Zebedee.
Many scholars believe that John’s mother, Salome, was the sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary. This connection, suggested in John 19:25, would make John and James cousins of Jesus.
John was part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and James. He was present during some of the most significant moments in Jesus’ ministry, including:
The raising of Jairus' daughter
The Transfiguration on the mountaintop
Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest
John and James were also known as the “Sons of Thunder” (Luke 9:54) due to their bold and fiery personalities. At one point, they even wanted to call down fire from heaven to punish a Samaritan city that had rejected Jesus. Yet, through Jesus’ teaching, John transformed from a man of thunder into a disciple of love.
John is the only disciple recorded as standing at the foot of the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion. It was to him that Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary. Historical sources suggest that John later moved to Asia Minor, bringing Mary with him, where he ministered for many years before dying of natural causes around 100 AD.
John’s eyewitness testimony carries great weight. In John 21:24, he declares:
“This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.”
The Unique Structure of John’s Gospel
John’s Gospel stands apart from the other three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Instead of providing a chronological account of Jesus’ life, John offers an intimate, theological perspective, organizing his Gospel around seven major signs (miracles):
Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11)
Healing a nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54)
Healing a crippled man at the Pool of Siloam (John 5:1-17)
Feeding the five thousand (John 6:1-15)
Walking on water (John 6:16-21)
Healing a man born blind (John 9:1-41)
Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-47)
These signs serve to prove Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and lead up to the greatest sign of all—His resurrection from the dead. John makes his purpose clear in John 20:30-31:
“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Key Themes in John’s Gospel
Beyond the miracles, John develops several profound themes throughout his Gospel:
1. Jesus is the Way
We can trust Jesus fully and follow Him without hesitation. At the wedding in Cana, His mother Mary instructed the servants:
“Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5)
Likewise, Jesus tells us in John 14:15:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
2. Jesus is the Life
Jesus is not only the source of physical life but also of eternal life. When a royal official pleaded for Jesus to heal his dying son, Jesus simply said:
“Go, your son will live.” (John 4:50)
Jesus’ words bring life, just as they did when He called Lazarus out of the tomb! (John 11:43)
3. Jesus is the Word
John begins his Gospel with a powerful declaration:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
John presents Jesus as the divine Logos—the very essence of truth, reason, and creation. Greek philosophy saw the Logos as the principle that brought order to the universe. John declares that this Word became flesh (John 1:14) and dwelled among us.
4. Jesus is Full of Grace
John writes:
“Out of His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)
A perfect example of this is when Jesus fed the 5,000 (John 6). In His compassion, He provided abundantly, just as He does for us today—spiritually and physically.
5. Jesus is the Truth
Jesus not only teaches truth but embodies it. In John 8:31-32, He tells His followers:
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
6. Jesus is Love
John, often called the disciple whom Jesus loved, witnessed firsthand the depth of Jesus’ love. From healing the sick to washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus demonstrated perfect love.
The greatest expression of this love? His sacrifice on the cross:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
7. Faith in Jesus Brings Eternal Life
John’s Gospel was written to inspire faith in Jesus. Every interaction Jesus had was an opportunity for faith to grow. The question is: How will we respond?
Conclusion
John’s Gospel invites us into a deeper relationship with Christ. Through His miracles, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus reveals Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
If we believe in Him, we receive abundant, eternal life. If we follow Him, we experience grace upon grace.
So today, let us:
v Follow Jesus as Lord and Christ
v Obey His commands and grow in faith and love
v Pray for those around us, that they too may experience the fullness of life in His name
A Call to Faith
John’s transformation—from a fiery zealot to the apostle of love—demonstrates the power of Christ’s work in a believer’s life. As we study this Gospel, may we, too, be transformed by Jesus’ truth, grace, and love.
If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus, today is an opportunity to believe and receive life in His name. Let us continue to follow Him, trust His word, and grow in faith together.
May God be praised for His work in us and through us as we bear witness to Jesus Christ!
Share Your Prayer Requests
As we journey together through the Gospel of John, I invite you to share your prayer requests in the comments. Let us lift one another up in faith, encourage each other, and grow in the love of Christ through prayer.