Bible Matters 271:  Gospel according to John

From the beginning, Jesus knew what was in John’s heart.  John is the disciple that Jesus loved.

John 21:20 –. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

Jesus did not have to tell John to, “feed my sheep.”   Jesus did not have to tell John to “follow me.”  Jesus knew that John was not going to deny him.  John was the only disciple that followed Jesus into the judgement hall, follow the arrest of Jesus.

John 18:15 – And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

So, it is not a mystery that John captures the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his book of John.  This Gospel is not established by one or two verses, but by the essence of the complete book of John.   Jesus tells you that the mouth of two witnesses shall establish the truth.

John 8:17-18 – It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

There is no better witness for Jesus Christ, than the apostle, John.  John was not shy about being a witness for Jesus Christ.  His opening verses tell you that Jesus is the Word.  Jesus is God.  Jesus is the Truth and was sent to bring salvation and everlasting life to the Jews and Gentiles.  Jesus is the Lamb of God.  Jesus is the only way to the Father.

John 1:1,3,14,17,36 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

John 10: 30 – I and my Father are one.

John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

When you are of Jesus, you believe, hear, do, understand and keep his words.   You follow him and he knows you.   

John 8:47 – He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 7:16-17 – Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 

John 5:24  – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 8:31-32 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus offers you forgiveness of your sins by his death burial and resurrection.  Jesus tells you to repent of your sins and turn to him with a converted heart, being born again as a child of God,  “To go and sin no more.”  A converted heart that has turned from a lover of self to a lover of God and one another.  No longer a servant of sin.  Unless you are converted from a sinner to a non-sinner, you cannot see the kingdom of God. 

John 8:11, 34-35 – She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.   Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

 John 3:3 – Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

John 15:6-9 – If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

When you believe in Jesus, you abide by his doctrine, love God, love one another, live a righteous life by avoiding the sins of the flesh, serve God and serve one another with glory.  Jesus came to earth as the Son of man, so as to be glorified by his death, burial and resurrection.  He gives you a choice to believe, follow and serve him.  When you are of God, you desire to serve only him.  No longer a servant of sin walking in darkness.  Like Mary Magdalene, be a servant for Jesus Christ.  Jesus tells you that you cannot serve two masters.  You are to serve God and one another.  When you serve him, the Father will honor you.

John 12:3,10-11 – Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

John 12:23,26,46-47 – And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

John 8:12 – Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

When you deny Jesus, you are not living the will of God.  Give God the glory, by giving glory to Jesus. 

John 13:31,38 – Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.  Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

When you abide in God’s word per the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the end you are offered the gift of everlasting life.

John 8:47,51 – He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

John 10:27-28 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 

John 11:25-26 – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

When you believe in Jesus, you prove your love and feed his sheep.  You are a doer of his words.  No longer denying him before men.

John 15:10,12,17 – If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

John 21:17 – He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus could have healed this blind man immediately, but he didn’t.  By faith the blind man had to find his way to the pool of Siloam.  By faith, Jesus wants you to believe and put your trust is his doctrine.  To do the will of God.  Will you repent of your sins, so that you can see.

John 9:10-11 – Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight

John 9:39,41 – And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Decide today that you will search the scriptures and become a servant of Jesus Christ.  Will your eyes be open.  You will have “a know so” testimony of salvation.  Always do the things that please the Father.  Throw away your pride, your arrogance and humble yourself in the eyes of the Lord.  Repent of your sins and tell Jesus you want to be with him in heaven.  Ask for his guidance and start living your life for his glory.  Study God’s word. Love your neighbor and spread God’s word. 

John 5:39 – Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 8:28-29 – Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen