The Book of John: Introduction

As we begin our journey through the Gospel of John, I'm filled with anticipation for what God will reveal to us over the next two years. This isn't just another Bible study; it's an opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ in a profoundly transformative way. My prayer is that by the time we finish this book, each of us will love and know Jesus more deeply and truly than we do now.

The Beloved Disciple: John's Unique Perspective

A Witness Transformed by Love

The author of this gospel never refers to himself by name, instead calling himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Far from being arrogant, this descriptor reveals John's awe at being loved by the Creator of the universe. Writing in his old age, John had witnessed the martyrdom of his fellow disciples and endured decades of persecution himself. Yet his gospel emphasizes God's love more than any other, demonstrating how this truth anchored his soul through immense suffering.

Not the Mild-Mannered Figure of Popular Imagination

John was not the gentle, effeminate figure often portrayed in art. He was a successful businessman and fisherman, discipled by John the Baptist, and initially known for his fiery zeal. Jesus called him and his brother James "sons of thunder" for good reason! At one point, they even asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to consume an inhospitable Samaritan village.

Over time, God transformed this zealous disciple into the "apostle of love." Church tradition tells us that in his final days, John would be carried from church to church, only having the strength to say, "Little children, love one another." This radical transformation demonstrates the power of encountering and following Jesus Christ.

The Uniqueness of John's Gospel

A Fresh Perspective Decades Later

Written some 30 years after the other gospels, John's account stands out in several ways:

1. It's 90% unique material, omitting many familiar stories (the temptation, transfiguration, parables) to focus on extended conversations and discourses found only in this gospel.
2. It provides more teaching on the Holy Spirit and the Trinity than the other gospels.
3. Its purpose is explicitly evangelistic - to prove that Jesus is the Christ so that readers may believe and have life in His name (John 20:30-31).

A Comprehensive Portrait of Christ

John presents Jesus through various lenses:

1. Titles revealing His identity (the Word, the Life, Light of the World, Lamb of God, etc.)
2. Seven miraculous signs testifying to His power and nature
3. Seven "I am" statements where Jesus explicitly claims divinity

These build a comprehensive case for Jesus' deity and messiahship. The signs are not merely miracles, but pointers to deeper spiritual truths about who Jesus is and what He came to do.

The Stakes Are Eternal

As we embark on this study, we must remember what's at stake. Every day, we encounter people who, without Christ, face an eternity separated from God. John's message is not just for believers' sanctification, but to reach the lost with the good news that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who alone can save.

Let me be clear: your nice neighbor who takes out your trash when you're on vacation, if they do not know Jesus Christ, is already under God's judgment. The only way for that verdict to be reversed is for them to fall on their knees in faith, recognizing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, whose life and death are for them.

This is why we need to be here, studying this gospel. What's at stake is light and darkness, heaven and hell, the life the world offers versus the abundant life only Jesus can give (John 10:10).

The Purpose: That You May Believe

John's stated purpose is crystal clear: "these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). I want to challenge each of you - do you truly believe this? Have you experienced the life that comes from knowing Christ?

This gospel aims to produce a faith so certain that, like the early disciples, we would be willing to die for it. Remember, every person John was close to was dying for their faith, being fed to lions because they knew beyond a shadow of doubt that Jesus is the Christ.

Titles, Signs, and "I Am" Statements: John's Three-Pronged Approach

Titles Revealing Christ's Identity

Just in the first chapter, John presents Jesus through multiple titles:

1. The Word - representing God's power, presence, and wisdom
2. The Life - the source of both physical and spiritual life
3. The Light of the World - guiding us out of darkness
4. The Lamb of God - taking away the sin of the world
5. The Son of God - equal in essence with the Father
6. Rabbi - the ultimate teacher and prophet
7. The Son of Man - identifying with our humanity
8. The Messiah/Christ - the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy
9. Jesus of Nazareth - emphasizing His humble origins
10. The King of Israel - the long-awaited ruler

Seven Signs Pointing to Christ's Nature

Throughout the gospel, John records seven miraculous signs:

1. Turning water into wine (John 2)
2. Healing the nobleman's son (John 4)
3. Healing the lame man (John 5)
4. Feeding the multitude (John 6)
5. Walking on water (John 6)
6. Healing the blind man (John 9)
7. Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11)

Each sign serves not just as a display of power, but as a preface for Jesus to teach about His identity and mission. For example, after healing the lame man on the Sabbath, Jesus declares His authority as Lord of the Sabbath and His equality with the Father.

Seven "I Am" Statements

Jesus makes seven profound "I am" statements in John's gospel:

1. "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)
2. "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)
3. "I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7)
4. "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)
5. "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)
6. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)
7. "I am the true vine" (John 15:1)

These statements are not just metaphors; they are declarations of deity, echoing God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14).

Beholding the Infinite Glory of Christ

As we conclude this introduction, I want to draw your attention to John's closing words:

"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25)

This isn't mere hyperbole. John is telling us that even if every book in the world were written about Jesus, it would not scratch the surface of His glory. He's too wonderful, too glorious to be fully captured in human language.

This is why we're taking two years to study this gospel. Not because I enjoy preaching slowly, but because there's so much depth here to explore. John's gospel invites us into a deeper knowledge of Christ, which is the very essence of eternal life.

Remember how Jesus defines eternal life: "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). This isn't just a future reality, but one we can experience now through God's Word and Spirit.

Our Prayer for This Journey

As we embark on this two-year journey through John, my prayer is that our view of Christ would be enlarged, leading to:

1. Deeper love for Jesus
2. Elevated worship
3. A passion to share this good news with others

For what's at stake is not merely biblical knowledge, but heaven and hell, light and darkness, abundant life versus mere existence.

May God use this study to give us a greater love for Christ and empower us to be faithful gospel ambassadors in a world desperately in need of the Savior John so powerfully presents.

Let's pray that when we finish this book, we'll be able to say with conviction: "We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).