WATCHWORD:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’ ” Luke 9:23
Meditation:
The Book of John
The book of John was written by the Apostle John some 20 to 25 years after the other three Gospels. It is viewed as the most theological of the Gospels and was written in response to concerns being raised throughout the Christian world about the nature of Christ, and some elements of confusion and uncertainty that seemed to have grown within the church. So, you can imagine John coming to clarify the Word of God among the followers. John himself verifies this in chapter 20, with this statement: “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.”
If you’re looking for chronology, turn to Matthew, Mark and Luke. If, on the other hand, what you seek is a better understanding of Jesus and His teachings, and what it means to have faith in Him, than a good starting point is The Book of John. One theologian has remarked that reading scripture and studying testimony helps, but to really know Him, we have to come to Jesus for ourselves. It’s personal. John helps us come to Jesus.
Martin Luther, the great translator of the Bible in early times, also wrote commentaries. Yet, he strongly advised Christians to avoid commentaries and to study the Word and let the Word speak to them. Commentaries contain the opinions of the writer, while the Word of God speaks to our heart.
I came across this statement that captures the essence of the John’s Gospel:
“The Gospel of John presents a marvelous testimony of Jesus Christ, and the purest and most elevated views of God to be found anywhere, far exceeding the speculations of philosophers. John’s Gospel contains the record of the Savior’s most profound discourses, His most convincing arguments with the Jews, and of His declarations respecting Himself and God. The Gospel has been received down through the ages as being the truth of God, Divinely revealing that Jesus is the “Son of God,” and “Lord of Lord.”
We all would agree that a casual glance at Jesus will not do, would not even come close to be worthy. Should you read through the Book of John, be alert to the “seven signs”, or miracles, proving Jesus’ divinity, culminating in the raising of Lazarus which foreshadows the Resurrection of Jesus, coming as it does just days before His crucifixion.
These seven miracles were used by John to show the power of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. As stated in 20:31, John wrote these seven miracles down so that, “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” Undoubtedly, John succeeded in his purpose, as countless believers through the ages have come to faith in Christ because of the Gospel of John. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
An observation from Beth: I like the “Shoes of the Fisherman” story of the Pope who dressed as a common man and is changed by what he saw. It reminds me of the story of Buddha — raised in a luxurious and wealthy family, protected for the first part of his life from the real world, one day leaves the palace where he lived all his life and saw the poverty and want all around. This was the beginning of his enlightenment. It made me think of the root of the word enlightenment: into the light. When you open your eyes, you let in the light
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path and thank You Father, for the Lord Jesus Christ, the living Word made flesh, Who has life in Himself and is the light of the world in Whom is no darkness at all.
Lord, more than anything else, I desire to bathe in that light of the Lord Jesus so that the light of His love and grace may shine through me to others, especially at those times when the circumstances of life seem to be particularly gloomy and dark.
Father, You have called us to be lights in the world, reflecting the glory and light of Christ and I pray that I may become His reflection, so that men may see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven.
Lord, I know that this requires me to decrease to nothing so that He may increase in everything and become all in all. Father, I pray that whatever it takes, that You would purge out anything that diminishes the light and love of Christ in me, so that Jesus is lifted up high in my heart and life, and may my self-life become so translucent and unclouded that Christ may be seen in me, to Your praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
