John was the son of Zebedee, possibly a quite well-off fisherman brother of James, and his mother was Salome, a devout follower and supporter of the Lord. He was one of those who had first followed John the Baptist and was about 25 when Jesus called him. In the reign of Domitian he was banished to the isle of Patmos but returned to Ephesus to become pastor of that wonderful church. John wrote nearly a generation after the other three gospel writers who had all finished writing before the destruction of Jerusalem to the Roman legions under Titus in AD70. The gospel had been preached and both Paul and Peter had been martyred. He lived in Ephesus to an extreme old age, possibly around 100. John did not need to repeat the work of the earlier writers and only mentions seven incidents that are in the other gospels.

False teachers had already come denying that Jesus was the Son of God, come as a human being, and John’s book presents the evidence. John was a sensitive man, full of God’s love, and he brings to us many treasures from the life of Jesus.   He describes himself as the disciple who Jesus loved.

It is quite helpful that John explains the reason for writing the book in chapter 20v31. “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name”.

BELIEVE AND RECEIVE HIS LIFE
The book has a storming introduction in chapter 1 verse 1. The Word, Jesus, was not only with God, He was God. He was right there in the beginning, fully responsible for creation and in Him was the life which would be the light of all people (v3). This was such a powerful light that the darkness did not overcome it (v5) and all John the Baptist did was point people to that light. Sadly, the world in general did not recognise their maker (v10), even His own chosen people, but to all who received Him (v12) they were actually given power to become God’s children (v12). We didn’t have a chance to see God the Father but Jesus made Him known (v18). Why can He do it? He is God, the only Son, close to the Father’s heart. So believe and you will receive the life available.

HIS DIVINE GLORY REVEALED
Only in this book do we hear John the Baptist call Jesus the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (v29) and he was also the first to testify that He was the Son of God (v34). Andrew was the first disciple to call him the Messiah (v41) and Jesus first declared his own divinity by calling the temple his Father’s house.

We can see also that Jesus also revealed his divine glory with the help of signs (2v11); the first sign was to turn water into wine.

WE NEED A HEAVENLY BIRTH
In chapter 3, and only in John, we have the story of Nicodemus who famously came to Jesus by night (3v2). He recognised that Jesus was, at the very least, a teacher come from God because the signs indicated that He had the presence of God (v2). Jesus took it one step further. To see the kingdom, you had to do more than listen to a teacher, you needed a new heavenly birth (v3). A spiritual birth, by water and by spirit (v5); one that can’t be seen with the human eyes but you can experience the power of it. It was to Nicodemus that Jesus spoke those words that many believe are the most wonderful in the Bible,John 3v16, “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.” The reason Jesus came was to give us something special, His new life. John the Baptist was in no doubt who Jesus was; He came from heaven (v31), was above all, God sent him, he spoke God’s words (v32) and he gives the Spirit (his presence) without measure (v34).

The Father, because he loves Him so much, has given everything into His hands (v35); if we believe in Him He gives us eternal life but without belief we must endure God’s wrath.

WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS
In chapter 4 and, again only in John, we have the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well. The thing to notice is that Jesus moved towards her (v7) and asked her for a drink.  In fact, she should have moved towards Him and asked Him for what He had to give her, the gift of living water (v10), for this was something that would satisfy her spiritual thirst for all eternity (v14).  Although the beginnings of salvation started with the Jews, the story of the old testament, Jesus declared that this was the time for everyone to come, everyone who was a true worshipper, in spirit and truth (v23). Her reaction was interesting, “come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done” (v29) but why did this knowledge impress her so much? Perhaps this was her way of saying that here is a man who knows all about me but is still interested in me. This incident in the life of Jesus tells us (v34) that it is the will of His Father to do this work of reaching out to others and that we should always be ready to reap. Ready to look around us for the ripe harvest and reap people for eternal life (v36). Sowing and reaping (v36-38) will often happen at the same time in our lives. Many Samaritans from that area came to believe that Jesus was the Saviour of the world (v42).

The second sign that revealed his glory took place in the same village, Cana in Galilee, where a dying son of a royal official was healed. Next we read (chapter 5) about the healing of a man by the pool of Bethesda who had been ill for 38 years. We have seen before how Jesus, while healing somebody, brought up the subject of sin (v14); sickness is bad but sin is worse and the most important message of all is that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Jesus encourages us with these words (v17) “my Father is still working and I also am working.” They both work on the Sabbath but, wonderfully, They are always working on our behalf. Of course, by calling God his Father, He was saying that He was the Son of God and was, once again, emphasising His divinity. This would be the excuse the Jews needed to kill Him (v18).

SON IS HONOURED AS MUCH AS THE FATHER
It is this relationship between the Son and the Father which is so wonderfully recalled in John and we are given a great insight into heavenly matters. Jesus was unable to do anything on His own (v19) and just did what He saw the Father doing. The Father’s love for His Son was so strong that He showed Him everything He was doing (v20). Resurrection life was in the Father; therefore also in the Son. All judgement is given to the Son and the Father wants the Son to be honoured as much as Him(v23). Other religions may honour Jesus as a prophet but Christianity gives as much honour to Jesus as the Father. Here Jesus states clearly once again what the gospel is:

Anyone who believes does not come under judgement but has passed from death into new life (v24). Also, this passage speaks really clearly of the second coming of Jesus when Jesus will speak to the dead and those who hear will live (v25). Not only Christians for there will be a judgement (v27) and a resurrection of condemnation for some, as well as resurrection life for others (v29).

We can learn from Jesus to “seek the will of Him who sent” Him (v30) and to experience His word abiding in us (v38).

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE(6v35)
There was something very powerful about the feeding of the 5000 (chapter 6) as it met their hunger but also reminded them of God’s provision of manna to their ancestors in the wilderness. The people were about to come and make Him king (v15), which they thought the Messiah would be. Jesus was not a human king, He was king of a far greater kingdom, the kingdom of God. He would give them far greater food, food which would endure for eternal life (v27), Himself (v33). We then get the first of the “I am” declaration (v35) “I am the bread of life.” Again emphasising the main message of John (v40), believe on the Son and receive eternal life. The Father is trying to draw us to Jesus (v44) and if we respond and believe we have eternal life (v47). The reason why this can happen is because the bread of His flesh would be given for the life of the world (51).

WATER OF THE SPIRIT
Interesting in chapter 7 that even His brothers did not believe in him (7v5) but we know the future of two of them, James and Jude, who both went on to become important church leaders.  On the last day of the festival, Jesus (v37) cried out “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me”. The teaching on the Spirit is very helpful (v37-39). We believers drink from Jesus, drink of the Spirit, and then out of our hearts flow the living waters of the same Spirit. This would not happen until Jesus was resurrected and glorified at the Father’s right hand again (v39).  Notice,  it is out of our hearts that the Spirit flows; God’s kingdom is the kingdom of the heart.

In chapter 8 the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery and were about to stone her. In the words of Jesus “let anyone among you who is without sin cast the first stone”. They all left, one by one. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, not to accuse them, but when confronted with our sin we must repent and take a different road (v11).

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD-getting rid of our darkness(8v12)
We need to follow Him to experience the light of life. Unless we believe in Him we will “die in our sins” (v24). Jesus spoke according to instructions of his Father (v28) and always did what was pleasing to Him (v29). So with us, as believers (v31), we have to continue in His word to truly be His disciples. If we do, we will “know the truth and the truth will make us free “(v31). Freedom here is freedom from the slavery to sin (v34).

Our natural father is the devil (v44) and we, naturally, wish to do his desires. Chapter 9 is about a man born in darkness, literally, a blind man and because he was born blind they accused him of being born in sin. Not so Jesus, who brought light to his darkness. This so-called sinful blind man had the revelation that God listens to us if we obey and worship Him (v31). And so he worshipped Jesus (v38).

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD(10v11)
Our shepherd calls out and those of us who recognise his voice then follow him (v4). He has come to save us and give us abundant life (10v10). He is the best of all shepherd’s who laid down His life for us (v15) and, whats more, He chose to lay it down (v18).

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE(11v25)
Jesus repeated to Martha “those who believe in me, even though they die, will live “(v26) and Jesus called the dead Lazarus to come out of the tomb. So many Jews were believing Jesus, after the resurrection of Lazarus, that the chief priests wanted to kill Lazarus as well (12v10,11). Jesus knew his own death was coming and his death was necessary because fruit would come from it (12v24); likewise we should be willing to lose our life in following Him (v25,26).

Chapter 13 (v1) and we see that Jesus loved His own to the end, even though one friend would betray Him. This was the Son of God who the Father had trusted with all things but yet He was willing to wash his disciples feet like a slave would do; so we should wash each others feet. He gave them a new commandment (v34) “a new commandment I give unto you that you love one another, just as I have loved you”.  This is how people will know if we are his disciples-if we have love for one another (v35).

I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE(14v6)
Jesus was to go and prepare a place for them in heaven (v3). Jesus said, if you know me you know the way “no one comes to the Father except through me” (v6).

ABIDE IN CHRIST
In the chapters from 14 to 17 we have an intimate and powerful revelation into the Son-Father relationship. Jesus says “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (14v10). The works that Jesus did, his miracles etc, are done by the Father in Him and when Jesus was gone His people would do greater works than these (v12), if only they would ask (v14). Jesus was going to send a helper, the “Spirit of truth” the Holy Spirit. Jesus was not going to leave his people alone like orphans and those who love Jesus and keep His word will then be part of the heavenly family (v23). It is the Holy Spirit who would teach them all they needed to know (v26). Chapter 15 is that great chapter about abiding in Christ, the true vine, and if we abide, we bear fruit (v4), because apart from Him we can do nothing of value. If we are in that place of abiding then we can ask whatever we want and it will be given to us (v7). That abiding is one of love, obedience, joy, sacrifice for others and bearing fruit for it is one of friendship with the Lord (v14).

THE GLORY OF UNITY IN GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER
John 17 is a prayer from Jesus to the Father and like a glimpse into the holiest of holies. It is all about the Son glorifying the Father and the Father glorifying the Son. We see Jesus interceding on behalf of His people that they should also be brought into that oneship and share the Father’s love and glory (v20 onwards).

The end is near for Jesus and we read in chapter 18 that they crossed the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden. A favourite place for Jesus and his disciples and it was here that Judas betrayed his loving master. Contrast the large band of people who came to arrest Jesus, brandishing weapons (v3). Jesus stood forward and they stepped back, falling straight to the ground. He was coming to them and not hiding from the cup the Father had given Him to drink (v11).

And so Jesus put up with questioning and abuse by the authorities and did not fight back because His kingdom was not of this world (v36). A robber, Barabbas, was released instead of him (v40). Pilate thought that he had power to arrest or release Jesus but his only power had been given him from above (19v11). Even as he hung on the cross, Jesus was arranging for John to be like a son to his mother and from that time he took her into his own home (v27). Very interesting that it was Nicodemus who helped Joseph of Arimathea to take away the dead body, wrap it in linen cloths, and then find a tomb to put it in (v41). In John we read of John and Peter’s race to be first to the empty tomb (20v3) and that intimate meeting between Mary Magdalene and Jesus who she thought was the gardener. “Mary” (v15).

As the Father had sent Him, so Jesus was sending them and He breathed on them because He wanted them to have His life (v22). Thomas wanted to put his finger in the mark of the nails (v25) but when he saw the resurrected Jesus his doubts disappeared and he could only answer “My Lord and my God.”

John finishes with the miracle catch of 153 large fish (21v11) and Jesus, serving them just one more time, breakfast on the sea of Tiberias. There was some unfinished business to complete, the restoration of Peter after his denial to become a feeder of His sheep. Peter was to preach the first sermon after Pentecost and also the first message to the Gentiles who were also filled with the Holy Spirit (Cornelius-the centurion).