In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the word was God. God created everything through Him. The Word gave life to everything He created, and His life brought light to everyone. The Word came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. The Word lived among us because God loved the world so much that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God didn’t send His Son, Jesus, to the world to condemn the world, but to save the world. (John 1: 1-4; 3: 16, 17)
Jesus told the woman at Jacob’s well that those who drink from His well of living water will never thirst again. Instead, that water will become a fresh, bubbling spring within them, springing up to eternal life. Jesus traveled all over Judea and Samaria, bringing hope and healing to those He encountered. He reminded His followers, and other Jewish people, that He did nothing by His own power; instead He manifested the Father’s power through His actions. (John 4)
It was difficult for Jesus’ followers to understand His mission, so He often reminded them that “I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day (John 6:38, 39). Jesus reminded his disciples that they were truly his followers if they remain faithful to his teachings. He said that the truth will make us free. Jesus told a man, formerly a blind beggar, that He entered the world to render judgment, and that judgment involved giving sight to the blind and showing those who think they see that they are blind (John 9:39).
Jesus compared himself to a good shepherd, who not only looks after the sheep during the day, but also forms a gate to the sheep pen with his own body to keep the sheep safe at night. He knows his own sheep, and sacrifices himself for the good of the sheep, both those who know him, and those who don’t know him yet. (John 10)
When his good friend, Lazarus died, Jesus reminded his sister, Martha, and us, that he is the “resurrection and the life. Anyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” (John 11: 25)
Shortly before Jesus was crucified he was escorted into Jerusalem by a huge, celebrating crowd. The people shouted “Praise God, blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel” (John 12:13). These particular phrases are based on Psalms 118: 25-26, and were used later by the disciples to help other followers of Jesus understand that Jesus life and death were predicted by Old Testament writers.
Jesus reminded his followers that unless wheat is planted in the ground, it never grows into a whole harvest of wheat. In the same way, Jesus said he had to die and be buried – so that he could be lifted up from the earth, draw all people to him, and enter into his glory. (John 12: 23-34) He told them that they could trust Him just like they could trust His Father, God. He told the disciples, and us, that He was going to heaven to prepare a place for them and us, and He will come again so we can all live with Him. (John 14: 1-3) When questioned further about where He would be going, Jesus reminded Thomas that “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. . . From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14: 6, 7) He also compared us to branches and Himself to a vine. We need to live in Him so we can experience His power. Jesus tells us that whatever we ask in His name He will give us, so we will have victory over the things of this world. Jesus loves us, God the Father loves us, and the Holy Spirit helps us. (John 15 and 16)
The night before he died Jesus reminded the disciples, and us, that He was leaving us with a gift – peace of mind and heart. This peace is much more that the world can give, and helps us to not be troubled or afraid. He also reminded his followers that peace did not mean freedom from persecution, but instead means that we can rest assured that we know that our story ends with a “happy ever after”. Jesus prayed for his current as well as all future believers when he said: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. . . May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17: 20 – 23)
While He was on trial Jesus tried one more time to explain His mission. He told Pilate that his kingdom was not an earthly one, but that instead he was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. (John 18: 36, 37) When Jesus died on the cross for my sin He proclaimed his mission successful when He said “It is finished” (John 19: 30). After his resurrection Jesus proclaimed a special blessing on those who, unlike Thomas and the other disciples believe without physically seeing him (John 20: 29) Just before he ascended into heaven Jesus gave Peter, and us, a special commission. He asks us to feed his lambs and sheep – the other people who live here on earth with us. (John 21).
References Cited:
The Holy Bible: New Living Translation, second edition. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois. 2004.
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