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

What would it look like for God to show up?

John’s Gospel shows us the answer. Jesus is the Son of the Father, filled with the Holy Spirit. He was there “in the beginning,” and through him, all things were made (John 1:1-3). So when we see Jesus attend a wedding, clear the temple courts, or talk with a Samaritan woman, we see God at a wedding, God in the temple, God by a Samaritan well. And this challenges our way of seeing.

The way we see God

We might have thought of God as merely a distant individual. But no. The Son of God shows us a Father who wants to fill us with his Spirit.

Jesus reveals the THREE-ness of God.

The way we see the world

We might have thought of the world as a factory floor — everything grinding along mechanically. But no. Jesus came along as the Second Adam to put his world right. The world plunges down to death, but Jesus comes to bring life.

Jesus reveals the TWO-ness of the world.

The way we see ourselves

We might have thought of ourselves as detached individuals, left on our own. But no. Jesus draws very near. He becomes ONE with us so that we can be ONE with him.

Jesus reveals the ONE-ness of us.

In John chapter 5, we see Jesus enter into this broken world to heal and bless. You might think everyone would be grateful to see the Second Adam putting right this world’s wrongs. But Jesus did not fit people’s blueprint. Jesus healed on the Sabbath (that is, the Saturday—a holy day in Jewish law). The Pharisees (the religious policemen) considered this ‘work,’ and work was banned on the Sabbath. But Jesus shocks everyone with the argument he makes.

Essentially, he tells them: It’s OK for me to work — I’ve been working together with my Father from the beginning of the world! Who does Jesus think he is?! This chapter will tell you. He considers himself to be:

• The world’s great Healer, bringing peace to all that’s broken;
• The eternal Son of God, equal with his Father;
• The Judge of the world, deciding humanity’s fate;
• The Point of the Whole Bible;
• The Life-giver for the whole world;
• The One Moses wrote about and believed in;

As you read John chapter 5, look for the places where Jesus makes these claims, and ask yourself, How would I describe Jesus?