Kata Iwannhn

Introducing the Gospel of John

The fourth gospel is truly unique among the gospels. It is very dissimilar to the synoptic gospels">

Kata Iwannhn Introducing the Gospel of John The fourth gospel is truly unique among the gospels. It is very dissimilar to the synoptic gospels, and is written using a completely different set of assumptions. It was probably the very last gospel to be written. According to Eusebius it was not written down until late in the first century when the rest of the apostles were all dead. Clement of Alexandria referred to John's gospel as the "spiritual gospel," because it is filled with symbolism and double meanings. The gospel of John is not meant to be taken at face value as much as are the others, but it is meant to be taken spiritually. The idea of "signs" is wrapped up with this symbolism. The purpose statement of the gospel indicates that the "signs" were written down so that people might come to "believe" on Jesus and have "life." The signs were symbolic actions designed to convey a spiritual message. They were much like the symbolic actions of Isaiah or Ezekiel in the Old Testament, only they were all designed to say something about Jesus. The signs in John's gospel include, the turning of the water to wine, the cleansing of the temple, the healing of the official's son, the healing of the lame man at the pool, the feeding of the 5000, the healing of the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus. The resurrection of Jesus himself may also be intended as a sign. Surrounding these signs are the teachings of Jesus, the account of his passion, etc. In John's gospel, Jesus is the bringer of the new wine, the builder of the new temple, the well of living water, the one who truly makes men "whole" or "healthy," the Bread of Life which feeds our souls, the Light of the world, and the Resurrection and the Life. The signs that point to these truths are designed to produce faith because they are designed to help us see that we cannot live without Jesus. We must have Jesus in order to have all of these wonderful spiritual things. It is only by trusting in Jesus that we can eat the Bread of Life or drink the living water or have our eyes opened so that we may truly see. The response required of man in John's gospel is called "believing." The word "believe" in John's gospel describes all that is involved in a total, trusting, response to Jesus. When we step out by faith and trust Jesus with our actions, we enjoy eternal life (1:12-13; 3:16,36; 5:24; 6:35; 8:24; 20:30-31). Believing in John's gospel goes beyond intellectual assent. The parents of the blind man believed on Jesus intellectually, but they refused to commit to him because of fear (9:22). Many of the Pharisees believed on Jesus intellectually, but they loved the approval of men too much to commit to him (12:42-43). Believing in John's gospel involves commitment and trust and obedience. The book was written that its readers might "believe." It is in the process of "believing" or following Jesus in trusting obedience that one finds "life." Life in John's gospel is not physical, biological life, but spiritual life in fellowship with God. People who don't have Jesus are dead. People who trust in Jesus have life. It is through believing that people pass out of death into life (John 5:24). The one who believes has eternal life right now and forever (John 3:36; 5:24). John's gospel is called a "testimony" or a "witness." All who come before us in this gospel bear witness to Jesus and testify about why we need Jesus. John the Baptizer says, "I have seen and I bear witness that this is the Son of God," (1:34). Nicodemus says, "We know that you are a teacher come from God for no man can do these signs which you do unless God is with him," (John 3:2). Nathaniel says, "Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the king of Israel!" (1:49). The Samaritan woman says, "Come see a man who told me everything I ever did! Can it be that he is the Christ?" (4:29). The cripple testified that Jesus made him whole, and the blind man testified that Jesus gave him sight! The living Lazarus bore witness to his own resurrection! The disciple John who saw his death said, "He who has seen has borne witness, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth, so that you may believe," (19:35). Thomas bears witness loudly and clearly when he touches the scars on the risen Lord and exclaims, "My Lord and My God!" John has given us a testimony (21:24), and has portrayed for us these "signs" so that each one of us might decide to put all of our trust in Jesus. As Jesus challenged Peter to "follow me," so the gospel challenges us to realize that we cannot live without Jesus. Each reader is called to "believe" on Jesus and "follow" him.