www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/gospel-of-john.htm Beginning today I'm going to begin a series of posts on the Gospel of John whenever I'm writing posts on "thought on scripture." The Gospel of John is one of the four gospels in the Bible and it's the fourth book in chronological order in the New Testament. The Gospel of John is different from the other three gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in the fact that John presents a unique perspective of Jesus Christ. You develop an intimate knowledge of the Lord. John focuses more on spiritual themes rather than historical events. The author of this gospel was the disciple John, which is one of the twelve disciples that followed Jesus during his earthly ministry. In the last chapter of this book, the author identifies himself in the last chapter of this gospel (John 21:24). John was also known as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23, 19:26, and 21:7). This book is filled with first hand accounts of experiences with Jesus that occurred during Jesus' 33 years on this earth. Many scholars say that the Gospel of John was written between 50 and 85 A.D.
The first three gospels were synoptic gospels, which include many of the same stories in the same sequence, and sometimes similar wording. John is different from those three. One of the things that's different about John in comparison with the other three gospels is you learn about Jesus' speaking with his disciples once he had risen from the dead. This was before he was ascended into Heaven. You don't read about Jesus' account with his disciples in the other three gospels following his death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.
The Gospel of John is outlined into 21 chapters. The book begins with a foundational truth from God stating "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." The accounts of Christ's life begin in chapter 1 with John the Baptist confirming prophecy and identifying Jesus as the "lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world." (John 1:29). Jesus also calls His first disciples to follow him in the first chapter. In the second chapter, you read where Jesus performs his first miracle and changes the water into wine. In John 2:19, He predicts His resurrection after three days. Chapter 3 speaks of the account of Nicodemus and Jesus telling him that except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). The most famous passage of scripture is John 3:16, 17 where it says that "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." That explains God's purpose for sending Jesus into this earth in a nutshell. The rest of the book presents vivid lessons and instructions from Jesus on how to live according to God's will and the most important priorities in life. Jesus used parables quite often.
What's the significance of the Gospel of John. First, the book establishes that Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah that was prophesied in the Old Testament of the Bible. Second, the book substantiates the purpose of Jesus Christ and the reason why He was sent to earth by God. Also, the Gospel of John distinguishes itself from the other gospels by focusing less on historical events and more on spiritual themes. Finally, there is a clear message in the Gospel of John that helps us to comprehend the truth about God, the truth concerning eternity, and the truth about man's need to be born again and accept Christ as his personal Saviour.
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