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    The Book of John
    The Book of John
    The Book of John
    Ebook697 pages7 hours

    The Book of John

    By Lin Johnson and Larry Richards

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    About this ebook

    No other book in the Bible presents Jesus Christ and his ministry more clearly than the Book of John. No other guide makes his ministry more understandable than The Smart Guide to the Bible: The Book of John.

    Walk with Jesus as he recruits the twelve disciples. Sit down on the hillside and listen as he teaches the parables. Watch as Jesus performs miracle after miracle. And at every step along the way, understand the critical concepts and life-changing lessons Jesus wants you to learn.

    The Smart Guide to the Bible is a series of simplified commentaries designed to uncomplicate God's word for everyday Bible readers. Every page contains handy features or learning aids like these:

    • cross-references to other Scriptures
    • brief commentaries from experts
    • points to ponder
    • the big picture of how passages fit with the entire Bible
    • practical tips for applying biblical truths to life
    • simple definitions of key words and concepts
    • interesting maps, charts, and illustrations
    • wrap-ups of each biblical passage
    • study questions

    Whether you're new to the Bible, a long-time student of Scripture, or somewhere in between, you'll appreciate the many ways The Smart Guide to the Bible: The Book of John goes far beyond your typical Bible study tool. The practical, relevant helps on each page lead you to get the most out of God's word.

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateNov 12, 2006
    ISBN9781418587123
    The Book of John
    Author

    Lin Johnson

    Lin Johnson is director of WordPro Communication Services and a freelance editor, writer and conference teacher. She also serves as the managing editor for Church Libraries, Advanced Christian Writer, and Christian Communicator, and as adjunct professor of writing at Taylor University.

    Read more from Lin Johnson

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      Book preview

      The Book of John - Lin Johnson

      Chapters at a Glance

      INTRODUCTION

      To Gain Your Confidence

      What Is the Bible?

      Why Study the Bible?

      Why Study John?

      Who Wrote John?

      What Is John All About?

      A Word About Words

      One Final Word

      PART ONE: Jesus’ Public Ministry

      JOHN 1: JESUS THE WORD

      Let’s Get Started

      Jesus Before His Birth

      The Ultimate Creator

      Life from the Source

      John the Witness

      God With Skin On

      When God Became One of Us

      Out With the Old, In With the New

      Radical Preacher

      I’m a Nobody

      Lamb Confession

      Look for the Dove

      Jesus the Recruiter

      Two-for-One Special

      Say What?

      You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 2: JESUS THE AUTHORITY

      Let’s Get Started

      The Partygoer

      Empty Jugs

      Watch This

      The First of Many

      Cleaning Frenzy In the Temple

      Show Us the Proof

      Seeing to the Heart

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 3: JESUS THE CHOICE GIVER

      Let’s Get Started

      Nick At Night

      Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday

      An Old Object Lesson

      Love In the Dark

      Light In the Dark

      Battle of the Baptizers?

      No Room for the Green-Eyed Monster

      God’s Seal of Approval

      The Choice Is Yours

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 4: JESUS THE GIVER OF SPIRITUAL LIFE

      Let’s Get Started

      The Comparison Game

      A Direct Detour

      You’re Asking Me?

      The Gift of Life

      Internal Spring

      Serial Wife With a Serious Thirst

      Where Do We Worship This Week?

      Answers Are Coming

      Spreading the Good News

      Solid Soul Food

      Ear Belief

      Back In Cana

      A Master of Distance

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 5: JESUS THE HEALER

      Let’s Get Started

      Lame Man Walks

      Who Wants to Be Healed?

      Instant Cure

      The Mystery Healer

      Down With Jesus

      The Defense Speaks

      Dead Men Hearing

      Grave-Cracking Lesson

      Witnesses for the Defense

      Miracle Defense

      Short In the Love Department

      Accusations As a Closing Statement

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 6: JESUS THE MIRACLE WORKER

      Let’s Get Started

      One Lunch Feeds a Crowd

      Going for Broke

      God and Son Catering

      Disappearing Act

      Sailing Into a Storm

      He Can Walk On Water!

      Seeking the Supplier

      Vain Reasons

      Real Bread

      No Mystery In This Will

      The Opposition Party

      A New Brand of Bread

      Is Jesus a Cannibal?

      All or Nothing

      No One Else

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 7: JESUS THE DIVIDER

      Let’s Get Started

      Unwanted Advice

      I’m Sticking With My Plan

      The Talk of the Town

      Smart Without Studying

      Discerning Right Teaching

      You Can’t Judge a Book By Its Cover

      How to Spot False Teachers

      We Know This Man

      Half Right/Half Wrong

      Taking On the Jesus Movement

      The Last Word

      The Great Thirst Quencher

      So, Who Is This Man?

      Thinking In Circles

      Nicodemus Speaks Up

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 8: JESUS THE FREEDOM GIVER

      Let’s Get Started

      An Early-Morning Class

      Almost a Perfect Trap

      Words In the Dirt

      Caught In Their Own Trap

      A Shining Light

      Time for Testimony

      The Great Unknown

      Too Much Thinking Inside the Box

      Maximum Density

      The Ultimate Proof

      Offended On the Defensive

      Wrong Father, Wrong Family

      Thinking In a Rut

      The Devil’s Children

      Deaf Ears

      Watch Where You’re Looking

      He Must Be a Madman

      A Young Old Man

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 9: JESUS THE SIGHT GIVER

      Let’s Get Started

      Whose Fault Is It?

      Light of the World

      God On Display

      A Real Eye-Opener

      Talk of the Town

      Tell It Again

      Blind Man Sees; Seeing Men Don’t

      When In Doubt, Go to the Parents

      One More Time

      Give Us an Answer

      We’re Moses’ Men

      A Thinking Man’s Relationship

      20/20 Vision

      Blind By Choice

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 10: JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

      Let’s Get Started

      Beware of Wall Climbers

      Trailing Behind the Shepherd

      Over My Dead Body

      Through the Gate

      Jesus the Shepherd

      Only for the Money

      The Extended Flock

      Life After Death

      Split Decision

      Do Tell

      You Should Know Me

      Godly Security

      A Stoning Obsession

      A Brilliant Defense

      Whatever It Takes

      Retreat to Regroup

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 11: JESUS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

      Let’s Get Started

      The Bethany Trio

      Plea to a Friend

      Two-Day Delay

      Walking Into the Face of Death

      A Waking Plan

      Let’s Get Going

      Dead and Buried

      Faith That Didn’t Waver

      The Source of Life

      Private Meeting

      When God Cried

      A Crowd Splitter

      The Stench Will Knock You Out

      Return of the Living Dead

      Panic Among the Pharisees

      Out of the Mouths of Priests

      Crowd Withdrawal

      The Talk of the Town

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 12: JESUS THE KING WHO WILL DIE

      Let’s Get Started

      Thanksgiving In April

      Jesus Gets Smelly Feet

      Follow the Money

      The Time Is Now

      Contract On Lazarus

      Palm Branch Parade

      Jesus’ Grand Entrance

      No Comprendo

      Curious Crowds Close In

      Any More Appointments Available?

      Dying to Live

      A Word from Our Sponsor

      A Planned Death

      Clarification, Please

      Take Advantage of the Light

      Ignoring the Evidence

      Eyes Wide Shut

      Fear of Peers

      A Package Deal

      Savior, Not Judge

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      PART TWO: Jesus’ Private Ministry

      JOHN 13: JESUS THE SERVANT

      Let’s Get Started

      Picture of Love

      Betrayal Ahead

      Real Greatness

      Don’t Stop With the Feet

      Not Everyone Was Clean

      Love In Action

      Open Membership for the Towel Society

      The Blessing’s In the Doing

      An After-Dinner Kick

      A Traitor Among Us

      Who’s the Traitor?

      Bread for the Betrayer

      Into the Night

      Turn On the Spotlight

      Known By Your Love

      Ready to Die

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 14: JESUS THE COMFORTER

      Let’s Get Started

      A Better Place Ahead

      One Way Only

      Show Us the Father

      Check Out My Record

      Is Jesus Handing Out Blank Checks?

      How Do You Love Me?

      Spiritual Survival Kit

      Pay Attention

      Spiritual Memory Jog

      Peace Instead of Fear

      Rejoice With Me

      The End Is Near

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 15: JESUS THE VINE

      Let’s Get Started

      Painful Pruning

      God’s Green Thumb

      The Vineyard Scene

      A Bumper Crop

      Love and Joy from the Vine

      Loving the Branches

      Befriending the Branches

      Fruit Attraction

      This Is Good News?

      Persecution Prophecy

      No Excuse for the World

      Time for Testimonies

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 16: JESUS THE TEACHER

      Let’s Get Started

      Coming Attractions

      Forewarning for the Future

      I’m Doing This for Your Own Good

      Conviction Report

      You’ve Got Spirit

      Passing Along Jesus’ Words

      A Short Leave

      Grieving Isn’t Forever

      Birth Pangs

      Direct Line to God

      The Situations Are Changing

      Father Love

      Now We Get It

      Watch Out for the Curve Ball

      Defeating Deity

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 17: JESUS THE PRAY-ER

      Let’s Get Started

      Glory Be

      Giving God Glory

      Know-It-Alls

      Community Property People

      The Name That Protects

      Bring On the Joy

      Not of This World

      Called Into the World

      For Those to Come

      Passing On the Glory

      It’s Who You Know

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 18: JESUS THE PRISONER

      Let’s Get Started

      Walking to the Grove

      Secret Arrest for Public Messiah

      Never Out of Control

      One More Time

      Wild Sword Bearer

      Let the Games Begin

      Follow the Leader

      Lying By the Fire

      No Secret Teaching

      Angered At His Answer

      The Cock Crows On Time

      Hypocrisy In Action

      Pass-the-Buck Sentencing

      One Too Many Kings

      King of Another World

      The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

      Free Barabbas

      Laws Broken At Jesus’ Trial

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      PART THREE: Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

      JOHN 19: JESUS THE SACRIFICE

      Let’s Get Started

      True Grit

      Beaten and Battered King

      Kill the King

      Don’t You Know Who I Am?

      Enough Guilt to Go Around

      Choose Your Side

      Presenting His Royal Highness

      Choosing the Wrong King

      The Darkest Day In History

      King In Any Language

      Used Clothing Division

      Women Around the Cross

      Final Payment

      Whole Bones, Not Broken Pieces

      Scripture Clues

      No More Secret Believers

      Buried In a Borrowed Tomb

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 20: JESUS THE RISEN LORD

      Let’s Get Started

      The Case of the Missing Body

      Race for the Tomb

      Seeing Is Believing

      Angel Encounter

      Missing Body Shows Up

      Jesus In the Flesh

      Jesus Is Alive!

      Peace In the Midst of Fear

      Sent to the World

      Show Me the Evidence

      Repeat Appearance

      Made a Believer Out of Me

      Purpose Statement

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      JOHN 21: JESUS THE COMMISSIONER

      Let’s Get Started

      Follow the Fisherman

      Full of Fish

      Breakfast On the Beach

      Dragging the Net Behind

      Breakfast Is Served

      Peter’s Assignment

      Following Jesus to the Death

      What About Him?

      None of Your Business

      The End

      Chapter Wrap-Up

      Study Questions

      APPENDIX A—MAP OF ISRAEL

      APPENDIX B—THE ANSWERS

      APPENDIX C—THE EXPERTS

      ENDNOTES

      INDEX

      Introduction

      Welcome to The Book of John—The Bible Smart Guides™. It’s part of a series that makes the Bible easy to understand even for people who know little or nothing about it. This commentary is different from other commentaries and Bible study books. It won’t bore you or put you to sleep or discourage you with a lot of big words and religious terms. My goal is to help you discover that knowing and studying the Bible is enjoyable. And in the process of using this book, you will learn God’s Word.

      To Gain Your Confidence

      The Book of John—The Bible Smart Guides™ is for people who want an easy-to-read, verse-by-verse study of the most popular book in the Bible. You’ll find Bible verses, icons, and brief chunks of information to help you understand the text and how it relates to you today. You’ll meet Jesus Christ when he lived here on earth. As you get to know him from John’s perspective, I hope you will want to read the other books about his life and teachings (The Book of Matthew, The Book of Mark, The Book of Luke).

      What Is the Bible?

      Although we treat it as one book, the Bible is a collection of sixty-six books. They were written by many different authors over a period of about 1,500 years. These books are grouped in two sections: the Old Testament with thirty-nine books and the New Testament with twenty-seven books. The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew between 1400 BC and 400 BC. It begins with God’s creation of the world and tells the history of the Jewish people until they returned to the land of Israel after captivity to other nations. Then four hundred years went by, during which God did not give us any Bible books. This period of silence was followed by the New Testament, written in Greek between AD 40 and AD 100.

      It tells about Jesus’ birth, life, teachings, death and resurrection, and about the church, which was started by people who believed Jesus was the Son of God.

      Many years after the Bible was written, Bible experts divided the books into chapters and verses. Now it’s quick and easy to find a reference. So if someone refers to John 3:16, you can locate the book of John, find the third chapter, and then find verse 16 without having to scan through pages of text.

      Why Study the Bible?

      One reason to study the Bible is because God gave it to us so we can know him. It’s his primary way of communicating to humans—his letters to us. Even though we can learn some things about him from nature, we can’t really know him unless we read the Bible. It tells us what he is like and how he acts.

      Another reason to study the Bible is because it gives answers to questions people have asked since the beginning of time. Questions like: How did the world begin? What is my purpose in life? Why do people act the way they do? What will happen to me when I die? Where is the world headed?

      A third reason to study the Bible is because it’s the best-selling and most influential book in history. Our literature is filled with references to Bible stories and people. Most of our laws are based on the Bible’s moral code. An education is not complete without some knowledge of this book.

      Still another reason to study the Bible is because it has power to change lives. No one can read it with an open mind and not be changed by the truth it contains. Ultimately, it will lead you to a personal relationship with the God of the universe.

      Why Study John?

      When a person’s life generates a lot of interest, multiple biographies appear in bookstores. The person who has caused the most interest through the years is Jesus Christ. In fact, the first four biographies about him, called the Gospels, begin the New Testament.

      These books are not normal biographies though. Instead, they present the message of eternal life through faith in the historic person of Jesus of Nazareth. As John put it, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:30–31 NKJV).

      The first three books—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are called the synoptic Gospels since they are similar in content and approach. John, the fourth book, doesn’t cover as many events but includes more of Jesus’ teaching.

      While the book of John focuses on Jesus’ life, it is not an exhaustive biography. In other words, it doesn’t tell everything there is to know about Jesus. It begins in the beginning with Jesus’ relationship with God the Father. Then—unlike the other Gospels—John skips the details of Jesus’ birth and goes right to his public ministry. To prove Jesus is the Son of God, John selected a few miracles from the many Jesus performed that are related to his main teaching.

      A Comparison of the Four Gospels

      what others say

      Merrill C. Tenney

      Although [John] deals with the same broad sequence of events to be found in the pages of the others, it is quite different in structure and in style. It contains no parables and only seven miracles, five of which are not recorded elsewhere. The discourses of Jesus in it are concerned chiefly with His person rather than with the ethical teaching of the kingdom. Personal interviews are multiplied, and Jesus’ relationship to individuals is stressed more than His general contact with the public. The Gospel is strongly theological, and it deals particularly with the nature of His person and with the meaning of faith in Him.¹

      what others say

      Warren W. Wiersbe

      Whereas the first three Gospels major on describing events in the life of Christ, John emphasizes the meaning of these events. For example, all four Gospels record the feeding of the 5,000 but only John records Jesus’ sermon on The Bread of Life which followed that miracle when He interpreted it for the people.²

      Who Wrote John?

      John, the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of James, was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called him as one of his first disciples. He was one of the inner circle of three disciples who were privileged to be with Jesus for certain events. Thus he was an eyewitness to the events and teachings he wrote about.

      John was called the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was an intimate friend of Jesus, the one who leaned on Jesus’ breast at the last Passover dinner just before Jesus’ death. He was also the one Jesus asked to take care of his mother after his death.

      John apparently had a temper since Jesus called him and his brother Sons of Thunder. And he was selfish and ambitious. But later he was known as the apostle of love because one of his other books (1 John) focuses on this quality.

      John was a thinker who focused on the big picture. He preferred to deal with abstract terms and concepts, rather than with actions like Mark. Throughout this Gospel, John emphasized contrasts like belief and unbelief, light and darkness, and love and hatred. He also highlighted symbols like the time Jesus turned water into wine.

      Next to Paul, John wrote more New Testament books than anyone else—Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. He penned John around AD 85–90. The oldest New Testament manuscript we have is a fragment of the Gospel of John copied a few years after it was originally written.

      What Is John All About?

      John is one of four selective biographies of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. In it John tells about

      • Jesus’ existence before he was born here on earth

      • Jesus’ miracles

      • Jesus’ teachings

      • Jesus’ private teaching with his disciples

      • Jesus’ death and resurrection

      A Word About Words

      You will notice several interchangeable terms: Scripture, Scriptures, Word, Word of God, God’s Word. All these mean the same thing and come under the broad heading called the Bible. I use each of these terms at various times. Gospel refers to one of four books that tell about Jesus and his life here on earth.

      The word Lord in the Old Testament refers to Yahweh, God. In the New Testament, it refers to Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

      One Final Word

      As you read the Bible text and the study helps in this book, you’re going to learn a lot. You’ll get acquainted with Jesus as he really is—not as people have described him or pictured him. But remember this: God didn’t give us the Bible so we can collect a lot of facts to fill our heads. He gave it to us so we can have a personal relationship with him.

      As you read and study John, do so prayerfully. When you ask God to speak to you through this book, he will. And when you finish it, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve learned and changed.

      Understanding the Bible Is Easy with These Tools

      To understand God’s Word you need easy-to-use study tools right where you need them—at your fingertips. The Smart Guide to the Bible™ series puts valuable resources adjacent to the text to save you both time and effort.

      Every page features handy sidebars filled with icons and helpful information: cross references for additional insights, definitions of key words and concepts, brief commentaries from experts on the topic, points to ponder, evidence of God at work, the big picture of how passages fit into the context of the entire Bible, practical tips for applying biblical truths to every area of your life, and plenty of maps, charts, and illustrations. A wrap-up of each passage, combined with study questions, concludes each chapter.

      These helpful tools show you what to watch for. Look them over to become familiar with them, and then turn to Chapter 1 with complete confidence: You are about to increase your knowledge of God’s Word!

      Study Helps

      the big picture

      Joshua

      Led by Joshua, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and invaded Canaan (see Illustration #8). In a series of military campaigns the Israelites defeated several coalition armies raised by the inhabitants of Canaan. With organized resistance put down, Joshua divided the land among the twelve Israelite

      How does what you read fit in with the greater biblical story? The highlighted big picture summarizes the passage under discussion.

      what others say

      David Breese

      Nothing is clearer in the Word of God than the fact that God wants us to understand himself and his working in the lives of men.⁵

      It can be helpful to know what others say on the topic, and the highlighted quotation introduces another voice in the discussion. This resource enables you to read other opinions and perspectives.

      Maps, charts, and illustrations pictorially represent ancient artifacts and show where and how stories and events took place. They enable you to better understand important empires, learn your way around villages and temples, see where major battles occurred, and follow the journeys of God’s people. You’ll find these graphics let you do more than study God’s Word—they let you experience it.

      Part One

      Jesus’ Public Ministry

      John 1: Jesus the Word

      Chapter Highlights:

      • Jesus the Creator

      • John the Witness

      • God Undercover

      • John the Voice

      • Jesus the Recruiter

      Let’s Get Started

      Imagine you are in a room with no light or sound. You put your hand in front of your eyes and wriggle your fingers, but you see nothing and you hear nothing. Suddenly, someone turns on a light, and you see you are standing in the middle of a room as big as a football stadium. Everywhere you look, there are diamonds, gold coins, jewels, and priceless treasures—covering the floor around you, packed into corners, stacked to the ceiling.

      Wouldn’t that be wondrous? When God created the world, he did something infinitely more wondrous than filling a stadium with gold and jewels. He filled a void with life. Where once there was chaos, now spinning galaxies swirled into being. Where once there was darkness, now there was light. Where once there was deadness, now there was life—more creatures than you can imagine. And human beings.

      But before all that creation, there was only God—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

      That’s where the apostle John began this book about Jesus—long before Jesus was born. And John wasted no time in introducing his readers to Jesus. He got right to the point and stayed there until the end of the book.

      Jesus Before His Birth

      JOHN 1:1–2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (NKJV)

      John was a gutsy writer. He began this book with an amazing statement. His early readers, who were familiar with Scripture, would have recognized the opening words. The first book in the Bible, Genesis, begins with the same phrase. That book introduces the creation of the world and man; John introduces the Creator.

      in the beginning

      Genesis 1:1

      always existed

      John 8:58

      creating

      Genesis 1;

      Colossians 1:16;

      Hebrews 1:2

      Godhead

      three names and natures of God in one word

      The Word refers to Jesus, as we’ll discover later in this chapter. The Greek word logos, translated Word, means the spoken word that communicates meaning, or a message. So Jesus communicates to us what God is like—his actions, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Jesus was in the beginning with God. Unlike us, he always existed; his life didn’t begin when he was born as a baby on earth. The word with indicates a personal relationship between two or more people. In other words, they are both God but not two different Gods.

      what others say

      Lawrence O. Richards

      In Greek philosophical thought logos was used of the rational principle or Mind that ruled the universe. In Hebrew thought the word of God was His active self-expression, that revelation of Himself to humanity through which a person not only receives truth about God, but meets God face-to-face.¹

      Jesus gave up his home in heaven and face-to-face company with God the Father to come to this earth to show us what God is like. He traded a place where everything is perfect for one where sin and suffering are prevalent. That was a huge move for him.

      The Ultimate Creator

      JOHN 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (NKJV)

      Jesus was God’s agent in creating everything—light, darkness, sky, water, land, vegetation, sun, moon, stars, animals, fish, birds, people—that is in the world. Even before he was born as a human, he showed us what God is like through creation. From creation, we can see that God is creative, orderly, and powerful.

      The book of Genesis begins by describing God’s creation of the world. But John says here that Jesus made everything. We don’t know all the details of how the Godhead operates. (If we understood it all, we’d be God!) But we do know that John’s statement makes Jesus equal with God—a fact that caused a lot of trouble when Jesus was here on earth.

      what others say

      Manford George Gutzke

      John is declaring this amazing truth in all its fullness and glory: Jesus Christ actually existed before the world began. Who then was He? John makes it very clear that He was and is the Son of God, eternal with the Father. John also points out that He was the Creator. . . . This is difficult to understand with our finite minds. We cannot grasp the operation of Almighty God in the creation of the world. . . . One of the ways in which the believer understands God is to separate His person and functions. . . . In his gospel, John is declaring that the Son of God is the Maker of all that was created.²

      life

      John 5:26

      Life from the Source

      JOHN 1:4–5 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (NKJV)

      Jesus not only showed us God in the creation of the world; he also showed us God in the creation of living creatures and people. Life, both physical and spiritual, originates in Jesus, a living, eternal Being. Through him, God makes his power and purpose known to people.

      Light also originates in Jesus. The purpose of light is to banish darkness. When John used the terms light and darkness, he was referring to good and evil, holiness and sin. Thus Jesus, who is morally pure, meaning sinless, became God’s light in a spiritually dark world full of sin and evil behavior, thoughts, and attitudes. People in the world resisted the spiritual light Jesus brought partly because they didn’t understand it. When they did catch glimpses of understanding, they saw that they had done bad things, and they didn’t like that feeling. Although sin and darkness are powerful, they can’t overcome or conquer Jesus’ light. The light and holiness of Jesus are always more powerful than any forces of darkness and evil.

      what others say

      J. Dwight Pentecost

      Light in John’s concept is equated with a knowledge of God. Darkness, as the absence of knowledge, is ignorance of God. Those who had been given light by creation were in darkness. Paul in Romans 1:18–23 carefully traced the progression of ignorance as man moved from light to darkness. Willful rejection of the light of revelation through creation brought progressive darkness until men were ignorant of God. Jesus Christ came to dispel that ignorance. He who is God came in flesh so that men might see that revelation and come out of ignorance into knowledge.³

      John traces the themes of life and light throughout his book. To John, life means more than physical well-being. It has a spiritual dimension, enabling a believer to live abundantly in this life and to be sure of resurrection with God after death. When John uses light, he focuses on spiritual understanding and guidance.

      Themes of Life

      Themes of Light

      John the Witness

      JOHN 1:6–9 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (NKJV)

      John the Baptist

      Malachi 3:1;

      Mark 1:1–8

      Messiah

      God’s anointed King

      Hebrew Scriptures

      Old Testament

      repentance

      turning from sin

      The John in these verses is John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, not the author of this Bible book. God chose him for a specific ministry—to prepare the Jewish people for Jesus’ coming and to point to Jesus. His job was to identify Jesus to the people as the Light, to introduce him

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