INTRODUCTION
John’s Gospel is about getting to
know Jesus personally – He is God’s Messiah and King. First few chapters of
John focuses on this kingdom that is being ushered in.
In Matthew’s Gospel, the
disciples were given the secrets of the kingdom.
Here we are given those secrets –
born again, water of life, the Divine Son, the Bread of Life, the Life-Giving
Spirit, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd – the discourses or teachings
about the kingdom that is being ushered in.
CREATION ECHOES
John’s Gospel begins with echoes
of the Creation account in Genesis and continues with the theme of Eden renewed
in the new creation, the works during the Sabbath, the Garden where Jesus was
crucified, buried and resurrected.
STRUCTURE
Narrative: Tells us what we
should understand and what we should be thinking (as in a drama play) e.g.
reveal glory of God, put trust in, fulfil Scriptures
PURPOSE John 20:30,31
20:30,31 miraculous signs
recorded that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, have life in
his name
IDENTITY John 1- 4
Does God exist? Where is God? How
do you know God? John 12:44 – 46 Having seen Jesus, you have seen God. This is
God Himself breaking into His Creation, declaring Himself once & for all.
ETERNITY Genesis 1
Christ in Eternity
HISTORY
Christ in History with the picture of a Messianic
Banquet from the first miracle during the Wedding at Cana (Isaiah 25:6 – 8; John 2:1 – 11)
Royal Official’s son close to death: death removed (John 4:43 – 54)
Miracles of Identity: Jesus as Bridegroom, Messianic
King, Judge, Good Shepherd
More than 7 miracles:
1.
Water to wine
2.
Heals Official’s son
3.
Feeds 5,000
4.
Walk on water
5.
Heals man born blind
6.
Lazarus’ resurrection
7.
Own resurrection
8.
Supernatural catch of fish
9.
Nathanael
10.
Woman at the well
WORK OF GOD John 5 – 10
SABBATH John 5:17;9:3,14
Miracles involving Sabbath healings as Work of God:
God’s New Creation – God rested but is still working. This resulted in intense
hostility against Jesus which revealed the wickedness of man
HUMANITY John 5:24; 6:63; 7:7;
8:12,34,44
Analysis of humanity without intervention from God:
1.
Dead 5:24
2.
Condemned 5:24
3.
Helpless 6:63
4.
Evil 7:7
5.
Blind 8:12
6.
Enslaved 8:34
7.
Children of evil one 8:44
Nice, decent, friendly people in offices,
neighbourhoods, families
WHOSE FAMILY? John 1:12; 8:42- 47
God or the evil one
LIFE John 11 – 20
Full of work of Christ
“I am”:
1. Light of the World
2.
Good Shepherd
3.
Door for the sheep
4.
Resurrection and Life
5.
Open blind eyes
6.
Set you free
7.
Bring Father to in your house, your life
John carefully puts together in his account 2 signs bracketing how Life from
God comes:
LAZARUS’ RESURRECTION John 11
John 11 followed by John 12: Cross
CROSS John 12; 18; 19
Through Christ dying sacrificially on the Cross
To carry God’s judgment for our sake who are already
condemned
JESUS’ RESURRECTION John 20
John 20 preceded by John 18, 19: Cross
ESSENCE OF LIFE: RELATIONSHIP
Very last chapter, why did John
the writer focus on Peter instead of his own relationship with Jesus?
God is a relational God. John 17:3; 20:30,21
In relationship, we need:
RECONCILIATION
To God and to man: So important BUT we often AVOID
Ministry of Reconciliation : 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
RESTORATION
In John 20:3-9 John arrived at tomb first but did not
go in, Peter arrived later & went in first. Finally John went in, saw and
believed but no account of Peter believing.
There was no mention of Peter after that: Jesus appeared
to Mary Magdalene, appeared to disciples on evening of first day of week (they
were still fearing the Jews) – receiving the Holy Spirit & forgiving sins; appeared
to Thomas
Peter’s call in Lk 5:1-11 is reflected in almost the
same way as Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter to his call in John 21.
In Matthew 16:17-20 Jesus said it was not flesh &
blood that revealed his identity to Peter but God; He was given the keys of the
kingdom of heaven.
In John 21:18,19 Jesus reinstated Peter after he was broken
for use John 12:24-26;
In Acts: Peter preached & 3,000 came to Christ;
In 1 Peter 5 Peter the apostle in humility sees
himself as a fellow elder.
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