The Writings of John

There are many ways to know someone. You can look at their life and gain an understanding of them. You can learn where they grew up and what they did during their life to get to know them as a person. But the outside actions of someone don’t always tell you the full story of who a person is. When you get to look inside of them you learn much more. When you get to look into their heart, mind and soul, you gain an insight into who they are that you would otherwise not have. 

John provides for us an insight into Jesus that is much different than the other gospel writers. John, although he tells of some of Jesus’ activities, writes more about the heart and soul of Jesus by recording many of Jesus’ teachings. In some ways John’s story of Christ is the easiest to understand and in some ways it is the hardest to understand. John wants Jesus to speak for himself. Jesus is the Word and the Word communicates. John does not start his story of Jesus with Jesus’ birth but he goes all the way back to creation to show us who Jesus truly is. 

Jesus is not just sent from God. Jesus is God. And as God, Jesus is deeply personal and directly connected to us. John records much of Jesus’ desire to be with humanity. Jesus wants to be one with humanity. He wants people to hear his voice and follow him. He wants to give humanity the bread of life, which is Himself. 

John knows that for people to truly know Jesus they cannot simply know his action, they must know him, from the inside. This is where John’s story of Christ stands apart. It is like he gives us a look inside of Jesus. He includes personal stories of Jesus speaking intimately to his disciples. John records debates Jesus had with the Jewish opposition. He relates times when Jesus asked questions and spoke even in ways that were confusing for His followers to understand. Some of that confusion remains today. 

John requires that you not read the life of Christ quickly. Don’t settle for knowing where Jesus went and what He did. Know Him. Abide in Him. John gives each reader the opportunity to do that, but it takes effort. Parts of Jesus’ story need to be read over and over again. John hopes each reader will not just read his letter like any book but that you will read it knowing Jesus is right alongside you, giving you his Word so you can know him. 

John knew every Christian would need this version of the story of Jesus. It would be very different from the other three. Some would even question its legitimacy because of its uniqueness. But John knew every Christian needs to know Jesus from the inside out, so John writes his version of the story of Jesus. It does not contradict or conflict with the other three stories. It fills in the gap left by the other three stories. Together all four gospels give a complete story of Jesus.