00: The Introduction of the Gospel of John

The word became flesh.

The Gospel of John starts with ‘the Word became flesh’ and explains the meaning of the other name of Jesus, Immanuel that Matthew witnesses. He not only became flesh and stays with us but also, all the more, became one body with us, for which He laid down His life. Also, the completion of our salvation is portrayed as eternal abidance in the love of the Father in chapter 17. 


Who is Jesus?

The Gospel of John is like a theological book, just as Deuteronomy is a theological book in the Pentateuch. This Gospel was written relatively later than other Gospels, around AD 90 ~ 100. 

After the fall of the temple (AD 70), Christianity needed to be identified as a separate religion, not a sect of Judaism. Also, the heresy of Gnosticism was deceiving many believers by asserting that you would get salvation through acquiring the knowledge of God. 

How do we identify Christianity and protect the church from heresies? A right understanding of Jesus' identity is a sure foundation of our faith. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, the religions sharing the Old Testament, differentiate their doctrine according to how they interpret Jesus' identity. Check your faith healthy or not by asking, 'Who is Jesus to me and in my life?'  

Therefore, a good portion of the gospel records Jesus’ debate with the Jews, especially regarding Jesus’ identity. Note that they didn't believe Jesus because they didn’t belong to the Father in the gospel of John. The other gospels point out that their hypocrisy and self-righteousness blinded their eyes. 


Jesus’ identity: seven I AM statements

Jesus proclaimed His own identity through the seven I AM statements.  

“I am the bread of life” (6:35, 41, 48, 51)

“I am the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5)

“I am the door” (10:7, 9)

“I am the good shepherd” (10:11, 14)

“I am the ressurection and the life” (11:25)

“I am the way and the truth and the life” (14:6)

“I am the true vine” (15:1, 5)


Clear proclamation of the gospel

Though the Gospel of John doesn’t use the word ‘gospel’ explicitly, it most clearly describes what the gospel is. It explicitly promises eternal life, while no other gospel does so. The Gospel of Mark proclaims, ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel.’ The Gospel of John proclaims, ‘All who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children.’ 

John clarifies the purpose of his writing and challenges his readers to believe in Jesus’ name. 

‘But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in his name.’ (20:31)


As you read the Gospel of John, I hope you believe in Jesus’ name and live in the Father’s love all the more.




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