Gospel of John - Examine the Witnesses

Here is an acronym of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ (Messiah).  For each line one verse reference is bold to point to a central verse about this truth, though the others listed are relevant as well.   You decide.

GOSPEL OF JOHN - proof that JESUS is the Christ

J Judgment 3:17-19;   5:22,27;   8:26;   9:39;   12:31,47-48; 

E Eternal Life 3:15-16, 36; 4:13-14; 5:24,39-40; 6:40,47-48,68-69;10:27-28; 17:1-3

S Signs          2:9-11,23; 3:1-2; 4:46-54; 6:2,14,26; 7:31; 9:30-33;11:47-48;
                                12:18-19,37;15:24; 20:30-31;  21:25

U You Decide Jesus is ______________  1:12

S Salvation 4:42;    11:49-53;   12:47


C Control         2:24-25; 6:64; 7:30; 8:20,59; 10:17-18,39;13:1,3;18:4,8; 19:10-11,28-30

H Heaven         1:51;   3:12-13,27,31;   6:32-33,38,50-51;   14:1-3

R Resurrection 11:21-26,37-44;   2:18-22;    12:9-11;    14:3;   ch20      21:14

I I AM statements 6:35, 48 - I am the bread of life
                8:12, 58  & 9:5- I am the light of the world;  Before Abraham was, I AM.
                10:7-8, 11, 14 - I am the door of the sheep; I am the Good Shepherd
                11:25 - I am the resurrection and the life; he who believe in Me will live                                          even if he dies and and everyone who lives and believes in Me will                                              never die."
                14:6 - I am the way, truth and life
                15:1, 5 - I am the vine, you are the branches
                18:5-6,8 - I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground

S See (the Light) 1:4-9;   8:12;   9:5 25;    12:35-36,46

T Truth         8:31-32,44-47; 14:6; 15:26-27; 16:13-15; 17:3,17; 18:37-38;  19:35;                                               21:24

Gospel of John - Examine the Witnesses

Chapter 21 – the witness of the writer John – “This is the disciple who bears witness of these things, and wrote these things; and we know his witness is true.”

John was one of the Twelve Apostles who walked with Jesus during His three years of ministry.  He lived the longest and had shared the Good News to many people over his many years.   And God used him to write a Gospel that begins with Jesus’ instructions to “Follow Me” (1:43) and concludes with the same command from Jesus (21:19).   If you don’t know Jesus or have doubts ask God to show you who Jesus is and let the Gospel of John show you “The Way.”

Gospel of John - Examine the Witnesses

Chapter 20 – the witness of a former demon-possessed prostitute -  “Mary Magdalene came announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”

Did you re-read the heading above to make sure that’s really what it said?   Doesn’t seem like good credentials for a witness does it?  Yet here was someone whose life was so radically changed and turned around by Jesus, that Mary was among the first to see the resurrected Jesus.  And she had a lot of people to tell.  Just like John, the write of this Gospel who ends this chapter with the following words:

“Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Gospel of John - Examine the Witnesses

Chapter 19 – the witness of Pilate – “He made Himself out to be the Son of God.  When Pilate heard this statement, he was the more afraid.”

Jesus was brought to the Roman governor Pilate by the unbelieving Jews and John records several exchanges between the two.  Pilate asks “What is truth” – a very important question as he was speaking to the Truth.  He asked Jesus if He was a king and He replied His kingdom was not of this realm.  When the crowd indicated Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, Pilate asked Him where He was from.  When Jesus did not answer Pilate said, “Do you not know that I have the authority to release you or to crucify you?” Jesus responded that Pilate had no authority unless it was given to him.

So Pilate was faced with a decision – what to do with Jesus.   Pilate chose to wash his hands of Jesus and turn Him over to be crucified.   Concerning Jesus and himself, Pilate made the wrong choice.   How about you?

Gospel of John - Examine the Witnesses

Chapter 18 – the witness of I AM – “When therefore He said to them, “I AM,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

Why does an armed mob of Roman soldiers and temple guards cower in the presence of one unarmed man?   For a moment before He allowed Himself to be arrested, Jesus proclaimed the name by which He was known in the Old Testament.  A name so sacred to the Jewish people that they had lost the pronunciation of it because they believed it was too holy to be spoken out loud.    If just speaking His name had this effect, imagine what can happen when we call on His name?

Gospel of John - Examine the Witnesses

Chapter 17 – the witness of the aliens – “I have given them Your Word and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

Shortly before His death, Jesus was praying for His followers asking that His Father would sanctify them in the truth of His Word (v17).   If followers of Jesus look and act differently it’s because they are to be spreading, by word and action, the love and Good News about Jesus.   And they’re told that they are ambassadors for Jesus – representing Him in a place that isn’t really their home.   It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.

Gospel of John - Examine the Witnesses

Chapter 16 – the invitation of the Helper – “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”

When Jesus spoke to them of going away, He was referring to his death for the sins of the world, His resurrection and the 40 days He would have with them before being taken bodily into heaven.  But He would not leave them alone.   For several chapters now, Jesus has been telling His followers that He would send to them “the Helper, the Holy Spirit” (14:26).  Do you know of any other belief system or religion where God indwells His people?    And for what purpose?

•          v4 to bring to remembrance His words and teaching;
•           v9 to convict the world concerning sin;
•           v13 to guide them into all truth;
•           v22 to have joy that the world cannot take away:
•           v33 to have His peace.  “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.”

We all need Help.