Christ, in the book of John
The Gospel of John presents a unique and profound portrayal of Christ, emphasizing his divine nature and the deep spiritual truths of his mission. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), which focus more on the historical and chronological aspects of Jesus's life, John's Gospel is deeply theological, aiming to reveal Jesus as the eternal Son of God and the incarnate Word.
Divine Nature and Preexistence:
From the outset, John emphasizes the preexistence and divinity of Christ. The prologue (John 1:1-18) opens with a profound declaration: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This passage underscores that Jesus (the Word) existed with God from eternity and was an integral part of the divine. It continues to say, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14), affirming the incarnation, where God took human form in Jesus.
Signs and Miracles:
John’s Gospel is structured around seven miraculous signs that Jesus performs, each revealing his divine authority and identity. These include turning water into wine at Cana (John 2:1-11), healing the royal official’s son (John 4:46-54), healing the paralytic at Bethesda (John 5:1-15), feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-14), walking on water (John 6:16-24), healing the man born blind (John 9:1-12), and raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44). These miracles are not just acts of compassion but are symbolic, pointing to deeper spiritual truths and demonstrating Jesus's power over nature, illness, and even death.
"I Am" Statements:
Another significant feature in John is the series of "I Am" statements made by Jesus, which further elucidate his divine identity. These statements include "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35), "I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12), "I am the Door" (John 10:9), "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11), "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), and "I am the True Vine" (John 15:1). Each metaphor highlights different aspects of Jesus's relationship with humanity and his role in God's plan of salvation.
Intimate Relationship with the Father:
John's Gospel frequently highlights the intimate relationship between Jesus and God the Father. Jesus often speaks of being sent by the Father, doing the works of the Father, and being one with the Father (John 10:30). This unique relationship underscores his divine authority and mission. For example, in John 5:19, Jesus states, "The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."
Role of the Holy Spirit:
John also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promises to send to his disciples after his departure. The Spirit is described as the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, who will teach and remind the disciples of everything Jesus has said (John 14:26), and will testify about Jesus (John 15:26). This highlights the continuation of Jesus's presence and work in the world through the Spirit.
Purpose of the Gospel:
Towards the end of the Gospel, John explicitly states his purpose for writing: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). This underscores the evangelistic and faith-building intent of the book.
In summary, the Gospel of John presents Christ as the preexistent Word, the divine Son of God, who performs signs revealing his glory, makes profound theological declarations about his identity, maintains an intimate relationship with the Father, promises the Holy Spirit, and offers eternal life to those who believe in him. This portrayal is designed to inspire faith and understanding of Jesus's true nature and mission.