"THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE" - 2

"THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE"
Introduction And Prologue

In our last lesson John describes Jesus’ relation to the physical world, John (and others) proclaim Jesus to be "the Creator". What an amazing claim! We left off with Jesus being present at the creation and John’s amazing claim. But the claims regarding Jesus continue.

In the relation of Jesus to the moral world Jesus is the giver of life. "in Him was life". In the moral or spiritual realm, Jesus came to offer life - cf. Jn 10:10 "A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest." Jesus is the source of light, "and the life was the light of men". As the giver of life, He is the source of "light" to men in a morally dark world - cf. Jn 8:12 "Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, "I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won't be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life." In relation to the moral world, then, John proclaims Jesus to be "the life and the light". The impact of Jesus on the moral world is described even further.

In relation to Jesus to darkness, Jesus challenges moral darkness, "the light shines in the darkness". As true spiritual light, Jesus came to challenge the moral darkness in this world. Jesus was victorious over darkness, "the darkness did not comprehend it". That is, the darkness could not overpower the light. By believing in Jesus, those in darkness were able to escape - cf. Jn 12:46 "I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark." Thus Jesus is the "true Light" who gives light to all - Jn 1:9 "The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world." So in relation to darkness, John makes the claim that Jesus is "the challenger and victor".

Next, he describes the relationship of Jesus to humanity(10-13) Jesus was the creator, "world was made through Him". Here the "world" refers to humankind. Jesus was the benefactor. Who was "in the world...the world did not know Him". "He came to His own" - that is, to His own nation, people (Israel). "His own did not receive Him" - rejected by His nation, even members of His own family were skeptical (until after the resurrection) - cf. Jn 7:5; Mk 3:21; Ac 1:14. "But as many as received Him". I.e., "to those who believe in His name". "To them He gave the right to become children of God". They were blessed to be "born...of God" - cf. Jn 3:5-7 "Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God. Don't be surprised when I say that you must be born from above." Therefore in relation to humanity, Jesus is presented as "the creator and benefactor".

John then reveals the relation of Jesus to the father, Jesus became flesh. As the Word, Jesus "became flesh". He "dwelt among us". John and others "beheld His glory". He was "the only begotten of the Father". Jesus alone has seen and can reveal the Father. No one has seen God at any time - cf. Exo 33:20; Jn 6:46; 1 Jn 4:12. But "He has declared Him" - cf. Jn 14:9; Mt 11:27. In relation to the Father, Jesus is the ultimate "revelation" one can have of God in this life!
Finally, John makes mention of the relation of Jesus to grace and truth (14,16-17). Jesus was its fullness, "full of grace and truth" . Because His "glory as of the only begotten of the Father". Jesus gave its fullness, "of His fulness we have all received, and grace for grace". "Pleroma" (fullness) - "that which is completed, i.e., the complement, the full tale, the entire number or quantity, the plentitude, the perfection" - Lightfoot. In Jesus, then, is the fullness of God's grace and truth for mankind - cf. Jn 14:6 ""I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father."; Co 1:19-22 "God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God. You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent."

Such are the claims made by John in the prologue of his gospel. In relation to deity, Jesus is the essence of God. In relation to the physical world, Jesus is the creator. In relation to the moral world, Jesus is the life and light. In relation to darkness, Jesus is challenger and victor. In relation to humanity, Jesus is creator and benefactor. In relation to the Father, Jesus is revelation. In relation to grace and truth, Jesus is fulness. In our next three lessons, we shall consider the claims made by Jesus Himself, involving His relation to God. His relation to the Messianic hope. His relation to human needs. Then, in three lessons we shall consider the evidence presented by John in his gospel intended to support these claims. Finally, a lesson to note why many did not believe in Jesus even when He lived among them In view of the magnitude of these claims, do we dare ignore them? If they are true, then we must believe on Him if we are to truly find eternal life...!

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

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Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
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