John is clearly a unique voice in the New Testament, a distinctive witness to Jesus, rooted in a particular mode of testimony, and the book breathes its own special theological atmosphere. Jesus is the Word made flesh, the Good Shepherd, the Son sent by the Father, and Jesus is the Christ. There’s no transfiguration because the whole book sees Jesus as the fleshly transfiguration of divine glory. There are no sacraments, Jesus is never baptized and Jesus does not institution the Lord’s supper, because the book is about Jesus as the prime sacrament.
What a wonderful reminder- to not only study the gospels to know more about Jesus- but to feed on Him, rest in Him, abide in Him. Thank you, Michael. I needed to hear this- I put aside devotional reading as of lesser value- in order to study more- but both have value.
First, thank you for recommending two books that will help in furthering our understanding of the book. I really enjoyed your insights! I have always loved John's focus on the messianic mission of Jesus as well as the seven signs pointing to his deity. Köstenberger grabs my attention 1) by proclaiming Jesus's fulfillment of the symbolism inherent in Jewish festivals and institutions. 2) and his statement that John does not teach the church replacing Israel, but Jesus as Israel's replacement. And who can forget that first verse I memorized, John 3:16 or John 20:31.
What a wonderful reminder- to not only study the gospels to know more about Jesus- but to feed on Him, rest in Him, abide in Him. Thank you, Michael. I needed to hear this- I put aside devotional reading as of lesser value- in order to study more- but both have value.
First, thank you for recommending two books that will help in furthering our understanding of the book. I really enjoyed your insights! I have always loved John's focus on the messianic mission of Jesus as well as the seven signs pointing to his deity. Köstenberger grabs my attention 1) by proclaiming Jesus's fulfillment of the symbolism inherent in Jewish festivals and institutions. 2) and his statement that John does not teach the church replacing Israel, but Jesus as Israel's replacement. And who can forget that first verse I memorized, John 3:16 or John 20:31.