Sermonette: July 1, 2024

This week we wrap up our review of the Gospels with a brief overview of the Gospel accorded to John. John is a Gospel somewhat apart from the other three. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to as the “Synoptic Gospels.” Despite their individual emphasis, they tell of many of the same events and stories about Jesus' life and ministry. Much of John's Gospel is unique to John, not found in the other three. While the other three spend a lot of time on Jesus' ministry in Galilee, John spends very little time there. His concentration is on Jesus in Judea. John was part of the inner circle along with his brother, James, and Peter. Sometimes Andrew (Peter's brother) joins them but we read of Peter, James and John more often. John is quite clear about why he is doing this writing. In 20:31, he writes “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” Also, John places emphasis on how faith and belief interact and the need for both in order to spend eternity with God.

Although Jewish, John does not spend a lot of time in lengthy genealogies as did Matthew. John begins with the very beginning of time. In the first two verses of Chapter 1, we learn who Jesus really is. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” Note the capitalization of Word. John writes of not just a word, but the Word. He is, of course, writing of Jesus. Moving on to verse 7, “He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him." Also in verse 12, “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” Again, John stresses the need for belief. In verse 14 we are told that this Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. John ties it all together in verse 17, “The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.“ Martin Luther wrote in the 16th century that he preferred John over the other three because it shows us Christ and teaches us everything we need to know. Yes, John makes it very clear to us right from the beginning; we need to believe that Jesus is part of God from the very beginning, and eventually came to earth as a human being and that it is through Him, are we able to spend eternity with the Father.

I find interesting what is not in John's Gospel that are in the others. For example, there is no mention of Jesus' birth or baptism. Also, John relates no parables. Perhaps this isn't so surprising. Jesus used parables to explain about the kingdom of God or how we should treat our fellow human beings. John's emphasis is on Jesus as God, the Son. There are a number of events that are not in any of the other gospels. Jesus' turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana and his raising Lazarus from the dead are examples. Both of these are miracles are accomplished only through the power of God. Also only in John is the meeting of the Samaritan woman at the well. There Jesus tells her that he is the Living Water. Again, a reference to his divinity. Last, and certainly not least, the one that you probably have been waiting for comes from the third chapter. Jesus is talking with Nicodemus, a Pharisee that knows that Jesus is from God but is having trouble understanding the concept of being born again. Jesus explains it to him and says that it is only through the grace of God that this spiritual re-birth is possible. And in 3:16, Jesus tells him “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Well, this wraps up my review, albeit a very condensed review, of the four Gospels. I hope these four articles have given you a more complete view of who Jesus truly is by looking at him from four different angles. I hope it has piqued your interest and helped you decide to read or re-read them on your own. Blessings to you all.