Gospel of John
The purpose of the gospel of John is twofold: first, as to salvation, directing the ones seeking a relationship with God; and secondly, as to discipleship, instructing the true followers of Jesus in how to enjoy life in the truest sense. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31. Our study will look at seven signs in this book that direct our attention to Jesus. This is the message of a second birth – being born again – how to become children of God. These seven signs are:
1. Water Turned to Wine (John 2:1-11)2. Healing of the (Nobleman’s) Son Near Death (John 4:46-54)
3. Healing of the Lame Man at the Pool (John 5:1-17)
4. Feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6:1-15)
5. Walking on the Water (John 6:16-21)
6. Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)
7. Raising of Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1-47)
In the middle of these signs, and begins to distinguish spiritual from physical – living water that springs up to eternal life.
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4:21-26.
- Diversion – Theological Smoke Screens. If you are in trouble, or the ‘jig is up’, try diversion. Jesus, upon confronting the woman directly as to her ‘husband’, caused the woman to realize that she is speaking to one who knows of her past. Her answer: change the subject. So she tries to divert and distract, and in the context, it is clearly intentional. 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” John 4:19-20.
- Correcting the Message of the Messiah. As a gentle moving of the conversation back to the core issues of salvation, Jesus redirects the woman’s attention off of the theological debate back to Himself. This includes Truth – correcting the misunderstanding and debate on true worship among the Jews, the half-Jews, and the Gentiles. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
- Defining the True Christian. Jesus now directs the conversation not just to worship, but salvation and worship, and explains that the true follower of Jesus accepts His definition of Truth and the Spirit. And true worship requires both.
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4:21-26.
Every issue in life reduces itself to two fundamentals: First, Who is God in relation to me, and secondly, how can I have a relationship with my Creator that satisfies both His righteous standard for me, and answers the question of eternity that is set in my heart. The woman both understand, believed and proclaimed the same. 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
How about you? Have you answered these two life questions, and do they match the instructions and message of Jesus? Only then can you or I have an assurance that our eternal destiny is established in heaven. Stay well.
