John

Does God exist? And if so, how can I know Him? These are old, universal and essential questions for us all. And they’re questions John answers for us in his Gospel. For a start, while we can’t see God with our eyes, God has taken the initiative to make himself known – most clearly and beautifully in the person of Jesus, the eternal Son of God.

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18

Ok, but even if Jesus uniquely makes God known to us, how can we know Jesus? That’s where John comes in. John was one of Jesus’ closest friends and disciples. He knew Jesus first-hand – he experienced his life and teaching and miracles – and then John wrote it wrote it down for us.

“Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. …
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.” John 21:20, 24

So, God took on human flesh to make himself known. This is the person of Jesus. And John personally knew Jesus, was loved by Jesus, and experienced Jesus’ miracles and teaching first-hand. Now you and I can know God, through John’s personal account of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to start reading?

The world has changed a lot in the last 20 years, let alone 2000 years! Even if Jesus was great in his time, could a man who never experienced electricity – let alone social media and AI – have much to offer us? If Jesus was just a good man with some insightful teaching, you may question his relevance and ‘update’ his teaching to suit our values. But John has a different perspective. At the start of his account, he describes Jesus as ‘the Word’:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3

Jesus was not just a great man with insight – He is the eternal creator God! And around 2000 years ago, He came to live among his people.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.’” John 1:14

While ideas and interests change over time, the God who made us and our world remains the same. Elsewhere in the Bible, we read:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Even though many years have passed, Jesus is still our unchanging creator God. And what could be more relevant for a creature than to meet their maker? It’s time to meet Jesus.

You don’t have to live long to know something’s wrong with our world. We’re pretty good at blaming others, but God’s assessment is more personal and confronting. Jesus came as Light into the world He made – but we rejected Him, preferring to hide our evil in the dark.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19

Our world is full of evil and darkness … because of people like us who don’t want to listen to God or live in the light. Governments make laws to try and hold back the darkness, but we’re powerless to overcome it. As you’d expect, doing evil in God’s world has a consequence. Not only do we suffer, mess up our world and hurt each other – but one day Jesus will also come and judge with perfect justice.

“Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” John 5:22-23

God agrees there’s something wrong with the world and God will do something about it. But in his great love, God also provides the solution we’re powerless to achieve ourselves. When Jesus came as Light into our dark world, He always honoured God and did what was right. And yet, He suffered and died to bear God’s just judgment for all our evil. If you believe this, God offers you forgiveness, confidence to come into the light, and enjoy eternal life with God!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Miracles have never been normal – that’s kind of what makes them miracles! And so when Jesus did what ordinary people cannot do, it got people questioning. One day, Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth (you can read the story in John 9). Confronted by this miracle, his neighbours asked if he really was the same man, and the religious leaders suggested he was never blind in the first place! Miracles can be hard to believe – but they shouldn’t be quickly dismissed. The man’s parents are called to confirm the facts – this is definitely the same man, their son, who was born blind, but is now able to see! While the religious leaders continue in denial, the once-blind-man states the seemingly obvious conclusion:

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” John 9:31-32

You see, John describes Jesus’ miracles as “signs” because they point to the reality of who Jesus is. Before we dismiss them as ‘unlikely’ or even ‘impossible’, we should consider the consistent truth the signs point to. Jesus was more than just a man with good moral teaching. The signs point to Jesus being God in human flesh, doing the very works of his Heavenly Father. Seeing this should lead us to believe in Jesus.

Jesus said: “Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” John 10:37-38

At one level, Jesus died because his claim to be the Son of God was considered blasphemous and deserving of death – and though Pilate considered him innocent, he unjustly ordered his execution.

But this would suggest Jesus’ fate was determined by human opinion and authority. In contrast, Jesus says it was his plan to die, and he did it for the sake of his people.

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” John 10:11, 17-18

So why did Jesus choose to die for his people? Firstly, it is for God’s glory. Jesus’ willing death in the place of his followers is the supreme act of love and obedience that glorifies God. As the hour to lay down his life approaches, Jesus said:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” John 17:1

And secondly, Jesus died to bear God’s just anger against the sin of the world. We all deserve to die for failing to rightly honour God in all our lives. Now Jesus lived a perfect life, but he suffered death in our place, sacrificing himself so that we can be forgiven. This is why Jesus is called:

“the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Jesus willingly let the authorities execute him, so he could glorify God and save his people from their sin and death. This is what makes Jesus the ‘Good Shepherd’ – he leads and provides for and protects his people in the ultimate way.

Death is a universal human experience. And from our perspective, it seems to be the end. But Jesus tells a different story!

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

Not only does eternal life exist, but listening to Jesus and trusting God is the only way to live. Now Jesus’ followers may still die physically. But when Jesus returns all the dead will be raised! Those who trust Jesus do ‘good’ and will live forever with him. But those who continue in ‘evil’ reject Jesus and suffer God’s eternal judgment.

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear [Jesus’] voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” John 5:28-29

It’s a big claim. But Jesus proves he can deliver. After his good friend Lazarus died, Jesus asked for the tomb to be opened. Now it had been four days and there was concern that the body would smell awful! But when

“Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, …” John 11:43-44

And it wasn’t only Lazarus. Soon after, Jesus himself was executed “because he claimed to be the Son of God” (John 19:7). But on the third day, his tomb was found empty and the resurrected Lord Jesus appeared to His followers. As they saw and touched the wounds of his crucifixion, there was no doubt this was the same person.

“[Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”” John 20:27-28

Jesus wants us to know that eternal life exists, and believing in him is the only way to enjoy it.

At some point, we all ask: Why are we here? What should we do? What is life all about? They’re big questions that may seem difficult to work out. But Jesus offers us the answer.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

If you want to know what life is about and experience it to the max, then you need Jesus! Jesus uses the illustration of sheep with a shepherd to explain that this true and ultimate experience of life is found when we come to Jesus and follow him.

When a sheep runs off alone, it may feel bold and free, able to pursue its own pleasure without restriction or restraint. But sheep are prone to get lost, to be unable to find food or water or shelter, and are vulnerable to attack. Sadly, this is a picture of life without God – we can lose our way, lacking direction and purpose, and live in fear and want.

But Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11

When we come to Jesus and follow him, we experience life as it was meant to be lived. Listening to Jesus’ voice gives meaning and reveals the best path for life. Being with Jesus provides the security and assurance we crave but can’t find anywhere else. Coming to Jesus gives us all we need and could ever hope for – he even gave his life for us so we could live forever with him!

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

If you want to know what life is all about, if you want to really live, then come to Jesus and enjoy the blessing of relationship with him.

‘Aren’t all religions basically the same? Like different paths leading up the one mountain, they all take you to the same place in the end!’ It may sound nice, but there’s no evidence it’s true … and plenty of evidence it’s false. For example, Jesus said:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Jesus can uniquely reveal the truth about God to us because he is himself God. He has come, as the Son of the Father, to reveal God in the most intimate and personal of ways.

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18

But even more than just making God known, Jesus alone makes it possible for us to come to God and enjoy the peace and love of relationship with him.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

You see, none of us are worthy to approach God. He is perfect and pure and holy … and we are not. But God gave the perfect life of his eternal Son, so that we could be forgiven, washed clean, purified, and able to draw near to God. We deserve to perish in God’s judgment, but Jesus came to die, so that all who believe can live forever with God.

No other religion can deal with our sin. No other religion has God approaching us. No other religion can wash us clean and bring us to God. Jesus is the only way.

In one sense, this is a bit of a strange question. It’s like asking – ‘why should I eat ice cream?’ or ‘why should I enjoy a holiday?’ They’re unusual questions, because when you grasp what you’re asking, the answer is obvious! A better question is, ‘why wouldn’t you become a Christian?’

At the end of John’s gospel account, he explains why he has recorded these facts about Jesus.

“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.” John 20:30-31

A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus is the Christ – God’s appointed ultimate and eternal ruler. If you believe this is who Jesus is, then you will listen to him and obey him and honour him in all your life as your rightful Lord and leader. And John says that everything he’s written about Jesus is his answer to why you should become a Christian. So, if you haven’t yet read what he’s got to say, it would be well worth the read!

As a teaser, John says that if you believe in Jesus and become a Christian, then you receive life! Life is pretty important and valuable … though in our experience, it can be fragile and fleeting. As the eternal God, Jesus has life in himself, gives life to the world, offers life to the full and even brings the dead back to life! If you want to experience life – now and for all eternity – then you should become a Christian! You can find out how to become a Christian here.

When Jesus explained to his disciples (including John) what it would mean to ‘follow’ him, he used the picture of a vine with branches that bear fruit. Jesus said:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

To follow Jesus is to be united to him like a branch to a vine – to keep trusting and listening and obeying Jesus. This is the key to ‘bearing fruit’ – or doing what pleases God – which is the best way to live, both for you and others. If you stop depending on Jesus, like a branch cut-off from a vine, there is no more life or fruit.

Jesus told his followers:

“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15

This makes sense – love is seen by what one does. And so Jesus’ followers show they love him by wanting to listen to Jesus’ teaching in the Bible and put it into practice. Now there are lots of commands you might picture Jesus saying, but one of the most important commands Jesus gives his followers might surprise you. Jesus said:

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13

Following Jesus starts with receiving Jesus’ love, knowing that he gave his life to save us from death. And then Jesus commands us to follow his example – loving each other in the same sacrificial way! The foundation of following Jesus is staying connected to him and loving other Christians as Jesus has loved us.