Get ready for a fly through of this year’s sermon books! But first, let’s meet our author. John was one of the first to be called as a disciple, and scripture depicts him as one of Jesus’ closest followers. He and his brother, James, were fishermen, called right out of their boats by Jesus (Mark 1:16-20). We get a few funny details about this man. John lets us know that he was faster than Peter, when they raced to see the empty tomb on Easter morning (John 20:4), and in his gospel, John practices a common feature for ancient authors; he doesn’t write his own name. Instead, he calls himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” High praise for himself, but when considered further, maybe he is simply confident in the love his savior has for him. It was John, whom Jesus entrusted his mother to. Jesus had to have known John would provide and protect the widowed woman in her time of grief.
John is the author of nearly 5% of the Bible, with 5 New Testament books ascribed to him. He wrote the gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. While there is some unknown when we ascribe an ancient book to a particular person, overwhelmingly, biblical scholarship points to the apostle John as the author of these particular books. As a church, we will be walking through John’s books together, so let’s get to know them.
The Gospel of John
Have you heard a pastor or leader encourage new believers to read the book of John? I remember youth events, like big weekend, where the speaker would praise the Gospel of John as a great place to start if you hadn’t read the Bible before. I do not disagree. We find Jesus makes seven “I am” statements in this book, including “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” and “I am the vine.” Keep an eye out for these while reading. While the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) focus on Jesus as the Messiah, John shifts his message to Jesus as both man and God. The book begins with using the word “Word” to describe Jesus. John mimics the language of Genesis 1 when he starts his book and talks about Jesus as the Word that was with God from the beginning and through whom the earth was created. The point is that Jesus has always been, and He is God. The difference of narrative and layout of John compared to the other three gospels is likely because of the date it is written. John writes 10-20 years after the synoptics, when the church is dealing with different issues. This book is affirming that Jesus is both God and man. You’ll also notice that the word “love” is frequently used in John.
The Letters of John
It is believed that these letters are written to churches in Ephesus, and each letter has similar language to the gospel of John. The first letter is composed of five chapters. The second and third are barely a chapter each! The churches are going through a crisis and John is encouraging them to remember that God is light, and they should walk in that light, living as Christ showed them to live (1 John 1:7). Another theme is that God is love. Through the work of Christ, we are able to and called to love (1 John 2:10, 3:10). Second John addresses false teachers. John instructs the church, which he calls the elect lady, to reject teaching that is contrary to Christ’s. Third John is directed to a particular member of the church, Gaius, whom John instructs. Gaius is told to be ready to receive Christ followers who are traveling to share the message of Jesus. Through each of these letters, you’ll notice John is familiar with those whom he writes to.
Revelation
If you are like me, reading Revelation feels convoluted with ideas that have been swirling around about the book. Maybe the Left Behind series is all you really think of when you reference Revelation. Here are some helpful notes to set you up for a better and more encouraging read. The book is a letter written to “seven churches that are in Asia.” This is present day Turkey. These are real churches to which John sent these words. The letter was meant to encourage and warn them during a time of persecution. These words are still applicable to the global church today. When reading, think about how this applied then, and how it still applies today. The apocryphal and very symbolic book is unusual to the modern reader, but it wouldn’t have been unusual to the original reader. You might have to do some digging, reading a commentary alongside, or using a study Bible to better understand this book, but make no mistake, you will know God better through its reading. This book was and is the encouragement of God’s great power and sovereignty in ALL circumstances. In the end, ALL will be made right. The promise to Abraham that his line would be a blessing to many nations (Genesis 12:1-3) is true in Revelation 7:9 as a multitude from every nation is described gathered as God’s people. And the beauty of Revelation 21:3-4 is the message of God once again dwelling with his people as in the beginning. All pain and suffering will come to an end.
I hope you’ve learned something helpful about these books! Remember to daily read the chapter of John that one of our teaching pastors will speak on the following Sunday. (E.g. Read John 11 for Sunday, February 5. Let’s pray for our church this year, that we would know and love our faithful God better through our study of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.
Meet the Author!
Danielle is a native Okie who stumbled into a life of creatively sharing the Bible. Danielle spent five years working at Museum of the Bible. She now works as the Director of Communications for Inspire Experiences and as a Digital Media Consultant for Voice of the Martyrs. She is also a student at Southern Seminary, pursuing a Masters of Arts in Theology. Danielle has a passion for the arts, specifically painting, and has a special love for her pup, Penny. She is married to the man of her dreams, Caleb. The Smiths are proud members of Council Road and cherish opportunities to know and love God more through relationships and teaching in the body of Christ.