30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Message: The Purpose of John's Gospel
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: This is an interesting verse and sounds like the end of the book and yet there is one more chapter. It is interesting that I have read that many of the Gospel writings were written after many of Paul's writing or that they were written close to the same time period. Since this was said to be written around AD 85 and 90, it may not be the John who was the forerunner of Jesus that wrote this. And yet there is this focus in the book that believing in Jesus is the focus. The book is a good record of the life of Jesus, the historical figure.
I have found that John has at times a clearer focus on Jesus as I have repeatedly seen him to talk about Jesus as the one who gives people life. I have seen at times that some of the red letter words in the gospels don't seem like words by Jesus but rather commentary, such as John 3:16 and several of those verses around that. But John wrote with a purpose in this book - and that purpose is that in Jesus and believing in Jesus people would have life in His Name.
I do like how John mentions that his book is not exhaustive. He admits that there are other signs that Jesus performed that are not recorded in this book. Jesus did more than what He is presenting. His writing is not exhaustive but that does not lessen the writing, but John gives us what He believes at the time to be most appropriate. John is writing this after Jesus has been resurrected.
John speaks of this in John 10. Verse 16 says, "I have other sheep (which seems to signify the Gentiles which is not the primary audience that Jesus is writing to), which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear my voice (so they will be found redeemed in the same way the present audience is found redeemed); and they shall become one flock with one shepherd." All are found to be worthy in Christ, some now and some later. Verse 17, "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."
John clearly states here the words of Jesus that He will be laying His life down and so will be dying on the cross and then be resurrected. And this laying of His life is on His own initiative.
The lesson today remarks, "If someone believes that the resurrection happened but fails to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, nothing will convince him." And so the life of Jesus record is important. Only believing in the resurrection is not the gospel, the good news. We need the gospels to help us understand the life of Jesus. There is only salvation because of his life that is lived.
Today, we need the entire record of Jesus. It is all important, not simply parts. John is giving us his part of the story and his part is needed. It tells the story of Jesus and how he lived on this earth and how people came to know Him as Lord and Savior.
I Corinthians 2:2 Paul says, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." The Gospel of John tells us about Jesus Christ. This is an important message. Paul brings it home in giving us the fuller meaning of Him crucified and that entire message is the Gospel record.
Summary: John provides us his purpose in this gospel - that people will know Jesus, believe in Him and have life in His name.
Promise: John wrote His Gospel with a focus of Jesus as the Messiah.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for John, whichever John it was, but you knew we needed this message and John records this message for us. I thank you for these Words that help me better understand You Jesus and who you were and the person You were and the perfect way you dealt with people. Thank you for the Gospel and the life that is found in You. Help me to be careful and courageous in speaking these truths to people and to focus always on the cross and the resurrection. Forgive me for being too proud and setting myself apart as someone elite. Lord, you are the great one. I am your vessel. Train me in understanding this truth and making it known to others. Thank you for the truth of it all.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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