The Gospel of John is quite different from the other three Gospels (called the Synoptic Gospels). As you read through John’s account of the life of Jesus, pay attention to the details he gives, leaves out, the stories he shares, and the stories he omits. When you read these Gospel accounts, you aren’t just reading about the events that took place in the life and ministry of Jesus. You are also reading what the author of the Gospel was trying to communicate to the community to which he was writing.
At the end of John’s Gospel, he gives his reason for writing (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.” I’ve heard this text preached a few different ways. Some believe that John was written as an evangelistic letter to convince people of the faith. Others believe that it was written to an established community of Christ followers to deepen their faith in Jesus. The Greek can actually be read “…so that you continue in your belief” rather than “so that you may believe.” Anytime I come to these kinds of debates, I take the opportunity to read and re read the gospel through each perspective so that new insights might be revealed.
For the sake of our study this year, I want to approach John’s gospel as though he were writing to deepen our faith in Jesus. He is moving us from our initial understanding of the Gospel message and inviting us to walk with Jesus, God in the flesh, and get to know him on a deeper level. The “knowing” that John offers us is one of transformative relationship. He writes that we might truly believe in Jesus, implying that there are areas of your life that you do not yet truly believe in Jesus. Another way to say this, what areas of your life do not have Jesus sitting on the throne? Your security and safety? The future? Your family? Finances? Etc.
As you read John’s gospel, you’ll notice some major events not recorded. John takes a different approach to how the story of Jesus is told. In the ancient world biographies took on different forms and orders to make major points the author feels need to be made. John does not have a birth narrative, the baptism of Jesus, the Mount of Transfiguration, and the institution of the Lord’s Supper. He also puts the “Cleansing of the Temple” at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry rather than at the end. Why does he do this?
John invites you to follow Jesus and discover all of these things in a new way through the ministry and teachings of Jesus. When you follow Jesus, you’ll see him on the Mount of Transfiguration, glorified and lifted up. These are terms John often uses to talk about Jesus on the cross. For John, the Mount of Transfiguration is the Hill of Calvary.
John moves the “Cleansing of the Temple” to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry so that the reader sees everything Jesus does through that event and Jesus saying, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it in three days.” The one who made his dwelling place among us (1:14) is the one where we go to meet God. He then calls us to take up residence in/with him (“Abide in me…” chapter 15) so that we can be sent out as his presence in the world (17:18).
The Gospel of John is going to take us on a journey with Jesus showing us how to love those who are deemed unlovable, love one another in a way that puts God on display for the world to see, and how to address corrupt political powers in this world. The most beautiful part of this journey is that Jesus is always in control. He is never frantic. He is never anxious or worried about the power structures around him. Even on the cross he takes care of his mother. No one takes his life from him. He willingly gives it up because he knows that his Father is in control.
There is no way to fully follow Jesus that doesn’t take you to the cross, out the other side, and into the resurrection. The question is, will you follow him?