How would you contrast John’s report of Jesus to how the world sees Him? How do John’s words compliment Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s accounts? For me, a careful reading of John opens up a deep teaching of our Triune God. God Himself has intervenes in His own creation. His appearance as a man is a deeply personal invitation to us to follow Him. John changes us and transforms the way we see life. He invites to become new. Jesus was a real person among real people, experiencing what we go through each day.
“ Have you ever noticed that John’s Gospel doesn’t mention Jesus’ birth? It’s because the One he’s talking about is too big for Bethlehem. A little child was born in Bethlehem, but the Son walks out of eternity. That’s the Christmas story in John’s Gospel.
Jesus “dwelt with us.” Literally, He pitched His tent with us—He moved into our neighborhood.” - J. Vernon McGee
“The Gospel must not only offer a personal salvation in the future life to those who believe; it must also transform all of the relationships of life here and now and thus cause the Kingdom of God to prevail in all the world.” - Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the world we inhabit is often marked by superficiality and easy answers. The temptation to engage the world from this place is very real. But you have called me to witness to the depth of life made available by your grace. Help me open myself to the beneath-the-surface transformation of the Spirit. May I dare to look at the places I’m often afraid to give my attention to, for you are with me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.” - Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life
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