John was the youngest of Jesus' disciples. He refers to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved. In the distorted view of the modern pop culture, love between men is often sexualized, which makes it difficult to comprehend the powerful bounds of the friendships between men who love each other. Please note: Sex and Love are not synonymous. On a personal note, I have sexual relationships with one person; my wife. On the other hand, I have an intense, non-sexual, agape love for a very large number of friends and family members. How deep is that love? I would die to save them; and there is not one sexual thought that I associate with those relationships. Sorry to start out this study with such a taboo conversation, but the sensual nature of our culture needs to be exposed. The Bottom-line: John wrote the Gospel of John from the perspective of a person who loved his dear friend, Jesus.
The Purpose for which the Gospel of John was written: There is no guess work when it comes to John's purpose for writing the Gospel of John. He clearly states his purpose in John 20:29-31 (NKJV) "Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 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." John wrote his Gospel so that people; people who were not around during the time of Jesus' ministry on earth, would read John's account and come to believe in Jesus.
One of the themes found in John's coverage of Jesus' ministry on earth is the idea of good verses evil portrayed as an analogy of light verses darkness. The earth is a picture of darkness, weighted down under the curse of sin and under the influence of Satan. Jesus is portrayed as the light that shatters the darkness and passes on the lighted torch to the Church to carry on.
Questions to Consider:
The Purpose for which the Gospel of John was written: There is no guess work when it comes to John's purpose for writing the Gospel of John. He clearly states his purpose in John 20:29-31 (NKJV) "Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 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." John wrote his Gospel so that people; people who were not around during the time of Jesus' ministry on earth, would read John's account and come to believe in Jesus.
One of the themes found in John's coverage of Jesus' ministry on earth is the idea of good verses evil portrayed as an analogy of light verses darkness. The earth is a picture of darkness, weighted down under the curse of sin and under the influence of Satan. Jesus is portrayed as the light that shatters the darkness and passes on the lighted torch to the Church to carry on.
Questions to Consider:
- What caused you to Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?
- In what way(s) has your life been blessed by your belief in Christ?
- How are your allowing your light (your witness) to "shine" and be an influence in your world?
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