Christianity: Major Gospel Part 4 Series
Religion: Christianity Part 4 – The Gospel of John
According to John, the Gospel is centered on Jesus’ authority being one with the Father. The source of Salvation is written in John 3:16— “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”—KJV. And followed by John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” KJV. Jesus told his disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John’s Gospel does not differ from the Gospel of Matthew regarding Salvation, as it was only written with a different approach. Jewish people also receive Salvation through Jesus, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”—Matthew 15:24(NIV). When Jesus refused to heal a sick gentile woman, his disciple asked him why? But he answered and said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” And in Matthew 10, “Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans—Matthew 10:5 (World English Bible).
God planned to start his Church with the “Jews first,” and to make it happen, the Jews had to accept Jesus as described in John 3:16. Since the Jews were the chosen people of God, the message was aimed at them as the first audience to hear the message. The kingdom will be offered to the Jews first and the Church to the gentiles. Since both did not welcome the offer from Jesus, the Church became available to Jews and Gentiles. While the apostles after Jesus’ ascension were busy looking for people to preach the Gospel to the Jews, Paul’s newfound religion was gaining converts in the cities and villages of the gentiles.
John said that Jesus is the incarnated Word of God, the source of eternal life, the messenger of the good news, and the deliverer of God’s gift of Salvation. The Gospel was presented first to the Jews but only received a rejection, so Jesus’ hometown turned him away. Was it because his family did not believe in him despite their exposure to his words and deeds? —John 7:5. And could also be expecting more signs which Jesus did not do to please them. In our spiritual walk, we please God and not humans or ourselves when we receive rejection in life, whether failure in making a better life or more than enough to have a peaceful life; our focus should avoid walking away from the giver of life and instead resolve the situation how to make it better.
Jews were scattered all over the world, and wherever the Jews were, the welcoming arms of Jesus were available to hug their sins; forgiveness was the reward for their acceptance. That makes Jesus’ commission of Salvation complete to save those left behind –”I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” With the accomplishment of their obedience and change of heart, they deserve to receive the kingdom, and therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and a promise to be with them even to the end of the age.”
Verses of encouragement that you may find according to John:
John 1:9-13 “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. Then, finally, he came to his own, and his people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but God.”
John 10:14-18 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore, the Father loves me because I lay down my life so I may retake it. No one takes it away, but I lay it down alone. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to retake it. I received this commandment from my Father.”
John 17:13–16 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, for they are not more of the world than I am of the world.”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” This Scripture is the foundation of our Salvation. The gift of life comes from God, and His will is all to be saved.
Anyone can practice their free will to agree or disagree that the primary purpose of the Gospel of John is to demonstrate that Jesus is indeed part of achieving the blessing of eternal life. John’s Gospel was written for Israel in line with Jesus’ mission to reach out to the lost soul of Israel, and it opened up for those Gentiles who wished to join Israel.
We must live to God’s standard to be in line with His love, mercy, and grace and feel the glory of God be poured into our body which is the kingdom of God in us.
Verses to nurture in John’s Gospel:
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 13:35: “By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.”
John 20:29: “Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
God is all in all.