Christ as God
Themes By Chapter
Book Summary
John emphasizes Christ’s deity portraying Him as the Son of God. In Luke His humanity was guarded but in John His deity is guarded. The baby born from a virgin in Bethlehem is shown to be “the One and Only, who came from the Father,” who had “life in Himself” and through whom the “world was made.” John wrote this gospel with the purpose that we might believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (John 20:31)
John emphasizes the spiritual relationship we have with God through a new birth. To be born again by the Spirit of God is the only way to come into the kingdom of God, only God Himself can instigate this because of His work. Our work is to believe in Him who He sent (John 6:29) and then receive what He has done - “of his fullness we all have received.” (John 1:16) We receive grace, His gift, the most precious thing in the universe – which is Himself – “we have this treasure in earthen vessels , that the excellence of the power may be of god and not of us.” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
The large majority of Johns gospel tells us about Christ’s last week on earth – it is because this was the purpose of His coming , to save the world from sin and to give eternal life – He is “the life” and it is His life that He gives. His life will create in all who believe rivers of living water flowing forth and it is belief in Him that means life, unbelief however means death. There is a choice to believe and accept life or no to believe and therefore refuse life – unbelief is a form of rejection.
Structure:
1. Jesus as the Son of God (1:1-18)
2. Public Ministry (1:19 - 12:50)
3. Private Ministry (13 - 17)
4. Suffering and Death (18 - 19)
5. Resurrection and Victory (20 - 21)
Key Verse:
John 20:31 -" these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name"
Christ Portrayed as: The Son of God, His Diety is shown
Author: John