How to See Life in 321 - a Guide to John's GospelSample

Who is Jesus?

Born into poverty and obscurity in a despised part of Israel — a land under the thumb of mighty Rome — Jesus worked as a builder’s labourer for the great majority of his life. Then, aged 30, he turned into a wandering preacher, touring around nowhere towns and villages. He never went to the right schools, never entered religious orders, never entered political life, never joined the military, never founded a school or a dynasty, not even a family. He never wrote a book and never had an ounce of earthly power or prestige.

As a young man in his early 30s, he was executed in a way so painful it was designed by the Romans to warn off anyone from following in his footsteps. And yet billions have! Jesus is easily the world’s most influential figure—followed by more people than anyone else in history. Why?

John’s Gospel gives us a perspective on Jesus that fits the immense scale of Jesus’ impact. John explains why Jesus seems to walk around planet Earth like he owns the place! He tells us that Jesus is, in fact, our Maker who has come into the world to set it right.

John is one of Jesus’ 12 disciples — his close followers. As you read his biography of Jesus, put yourself into John’s sandals. How would it be to encounter your Maker, up close and personal? What kind of God does Jesus reveal?

As we begin with John chapter 1, I want you to notice three ways that John describes Jesus:

The Word of God (v1, 14)

Jesus is the communication or explanation of God. He is what God wants to say to the world. And he’s been the expression of God from before the world began!

Ask yourself: What does it mean for Jesus to be “the Word of God”?

The Son of God (v14, 18, 49)

Jesus has always called God “Father” and has always been his beloved “Son.” He’s an eternal “chip off the old block,” exactly like his Father.

Ask yourself: What does it mean for Jesus to be “the Son of God”?

The Lamb of God (v29, 36)

For a Jewish believer, “the lamb” was the sacrifice that you brought to the temple. If you sinned, your lamb would die in your place so that you could go home forgiven.

Ask yourself: What does it mean for Jesus to be “the Lamb of God”?