An Expository Study of John’s Gospel
SUMMARY OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
Preparing this expositional study on the Book of John has revealed an insight into God’s character: He “Breathed” His Words through men, inspiring them to write, while allowing His Words to flow with (and in) true harmony with the personality involved. Peter could have written “a Gospel sermon” like John, but did not. Likewise, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, or Simon the Canaanite could have also penned words about the Master’s life, but did not.
Matthew wrote his “good news” letter for the Jewish mind, telling more of what Jesus said. Mark appealed to the Romans, telling what Jesus did. Luke wrote the stories of Christ and Redemption. John was one of four who wrote from a different perspective. He gave people the “heart of Christ.” He revealed a Christ for all people – Jews, Samaritans, and barbarians. John wrote for the 21st Century: for disciple yet to believe.
The heart of Christ was love and love of Christ was John. Of all the apostles, John would be the unanimous choice to “run with” – slow to judge; quick to receive; easy to love. He was at the foot of the cross. Peter was crying his eyes out, Judas hung in a tree, and all the other apostles were scattered in fear. It was John, the beloved, who “lay upon Jesus breast.” It was John who recognized Jesus as He cooked breakfast after the resurrection. It was John who wrote three sermons (letters) that again stamped him as “the apostle of love.”
Gone were the desires of John’s mother to have her two sons on the right and left side of Jesus when He came in glory. Gone was the reputation of John being one of the “sons of thunder.” Gone was his anger at those who rejected Jesus and would not let him enter their city, when he wanted Jesus to “consume them with fire.” To the contrary, aged John (perhaps the last of the living apostles) sitting as a solitary figure, alone, on the Island of Patmos, receiving and revealing the last and final Revelation of Jesus Christ. This is the John who declared Christ to be the Lamb of God, worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing (Rev. 5:12). This is the slain Lamb Who shall return as a “Roaring Lion” to devour the enemy and receive His own.
“If any man shall take away from the words of the prophecy of this book, God shall take his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book . . . The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen.” (Rev. 22:19, 21)
