_Introduction to the Book of John, for the Ranger Investiture Achievement
As part of the Ranger Investiture Achievement, we will be reading the book of John, the fourth Gospel. The first three Gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke - are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels (synoptic meaning “seeing together” or “taking a common view”). These three Gospels have many overlaps in the way they retell the story of the life of Jesus Christ. Approximately 45 percent of the writings in the book of Matthew is found also in Mark and Luke, 41 percent of Luke is found in Matthew and Mark, and 76 percent of Mark is found in the other two. This similarity of story telling has helped to reinforce the veracity of the history.
John, too, writes about the life of Jesus in his Gospel, but he provides a more complete understanding of Jesusʼ divinity, and his is the most theological and spiritual of the four Gospels. John more than any other Gospel writer emphasizes through Jesusʼ own words the claim that Jesus is the Son of God. We see throughout the book Jesus quoted as beginning a sentence with “I am,” an allusion to Godʼs use of the name “I AM” to describe himself to Moses (Exodus 3:14). In John we see Jesus say; I am the light, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the vine, I am the way, the truth and the life. Clearly John wanted to leave no doubt in his readersʼ minds as to the true nature of Jesus Christ.
John is often cited as a favorite by readers of the four Gospels, perhaps because it seems much more personal and spiritual in how the author portrays Jesus and his relationship with each of us. At the same time, in John we often see Jesus portrayed in confrontation with the religious leaders. This, too, reveals the authority of Jesus Christ over the earthly leaders, and points to his divine origin. John wrote his Gospel last, and thus likely knew of the text of the other three Gospels. There are stories found in the other three that John omits, and there are other details that John includes that are not in the other three Gospels.
So who was John? He was one of the 12 Disciples, a fisherman and a son of Zebedee along with his brother James. John and his brother were called the “sons of thunder,” a reflection of their character at the time they met Jesus. Through his relationship with Jesus, John is softened, changed, and is no longer the “son of thunder” but instead the disciple “Jesus loved.” This transformation of heart and character comes through in Johnʼs writing, and it is hard these days to go to any sporting event where someone isnʼt holding a sign reading “John 3:16.”
It is Johnʼs mission in his Gospel to point the reader to Jesus Christ, and to his salvation. As John himself states, “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 20:30-31 NKJV). As we read the book of John together, we will see what Jesus meant for John, and what he means for each one of us.
John, too, writes about the life of Jesus in his Gospel, but he provides a more complete understanding of Jesusʼ divinity, and his is the most theological and spiritual of the four Gospels. John more than any other Gospel writer emphasizes through Jesusʼ own words the claim that Jesus is the Son of God. We see throughout the book Jesus quoted as beginning a sentence with “I am,” an allusion to Godʼs use of the name “I AM” to describe himself to Moses (Exodus 3:14). In John we see Jesus say; I am the light, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the vine, I am the way, the truth and the life. Clearly John wanted to leave no doubt in his readersʼ minds as to the true nature of Jesus Christ.
John is often cited as a favorite by readers of the four Gospels, perhaps because it seems much more personal and spiritual in how the author portrays Jesus and his relationship with each of us. At the same time, in John we often see Jesus portrayed in confrontation with the religious leaders. This, too, reveals the authority of Jesus Christ over the earthly leaders, and points to his divine origin. John wrote his Gospel last, and thus likely knew of the text of the other three Gospels. There are stories found in the other three that John omits, and there are other details that John includes that are not in the other three Gospels.
So who was John? He was one of the 12 Disciples, a fisherman and a son of Zebedee along with his brother James. John and his brother were called the “sons of thunder,” a reflection of their character at the time they met Jesus. Through his relationship with Jesus, John is softened, changed, and is no longer the “son of thunder” but instead the disciple “Jesus loved.” This transformation of heart and character comes through in Johnʼs writing, and it is hard these days to go to any sporting event where someone isnʼt holding a sign reading “John 3:16.”
It is Johnʼs mission in his Gospel to point the reader to Jesus Christ, and to his salvation. As John himself states, “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 20:30-31 NKJV). As we read the book of John together, we will see what Jesus meant for John, and what he means for each one of us.