Archived Daily Manna | Rejoice Fellowship | A mission to release people to rejoice in the world.

Message: John makes it clear that his Gospel is not intended as a comprehensive “Life of Christ.” Indeed, he picked and chose incidents and teachings that he could make into more of a work of theology or literature. He gives no account of Jesus’ birth or early life, and no account of his ascension. We might conclude that John wrote it to supplement the other three “Synoptic” gospels and that John expected it to be read by people who were well-versed in an existing gospel, particularly the Gospel of Mark, which had been completed decades earlier. As we look back, we can see that John’s gospel has specific sections. First, there is the extraordinary prologue that identifies Christ with the Word, the aspect of God which created the universe. The idea of a Word, a logic or order to the universe, first arose among Greek philosophers (the logos). John borrows it in order to explain Christ’s origins as a moving force in the creation of the universe, so that we will know, ultimately, that Christ is God, even though he “emptied himself of his divinity” to live among us as an actual human being. John then seeks to prove or convince the reader of Jesus’ divine authority, by recounting seven “signs”, miracles that had a special significance. The last of these, raising Lazarus from the dead, is the immediate cause of Jesus’ crucifixion in John. Interspersed throughout, John relates a body of extended speeches given by Jesus, which are full of hidden allegory and symbolism. By contrast, the Synoptic Gospels rely on numerous parables, in which an allegory is explicitly given. John is thus a more difficult gospel to read and understand. Finally, John gives an account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, but omits his ascension. John’s account is different from (not contrary to) the other gospels. It concentrates on the arguments between Jesus and the Pharisees, with special emphasis on Jesus’ dialogue with Pontius Pilate. Both Pilate and many of the Pharisees are shown as more conflicted between acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah and concern for their political standing. John contains extensive dialogues between them (a very Greek, and thus philosophical, method of teaching); whereas, the Synoptic Gospels present them more as single-minded opponents and present Christ’s teachings as simple uncontested statements made to his followers. Christian unity One might also say that John emphasizes the role of love in Christian life, but gives less emphasis to worship. For example, in John, Jesus gives one commandment (that his disciples love one another — John 13:31-35), whereas the Synoptics give “Love God with your whole heart” as the first commandment and love of one’s neighbor as the second. As another example, John omits the passage that forms the heart of worship in more liturgical and sacramental-oriented denominations: the sharing of bread and wine at the last supper. Instead, John gives an account of Christ washing Peter’s feet. Anyway, to a great degree, John bridges a gap between the Synoptic Gospels and the epistles; it is a gospel for the church. He shows the paramount importance of love for others in the church, as this love is tied to the love of the Father for us and the love and “servant status” of Jesus for us. Our “Job Number One” is to love as Jesus did. This theme becomes even more emphasized in the epistles, especially those of John, but by putting it in a gospel and giving the lessons directly from Jesus’ words and actions, John shows the primacy of the message as a teaching of Jesus himself.