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Overview
The Gospel of John gives a unique and true theological portrayal of Jesus Christ. The apostle’s account delves into the profound spiritual truths of His identity and purpose.
The central themes of the book cluster around the revelation of Jesus as the Divine Son of God. (John 10:36).
He became the incarnated God in human substance – the Eternal Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14).
The apostle John records the imagery of the prophet (John the Baptist) given to Jesus. He points to Him as the Lamb of God who takes the sin of the broken world. (John 1:29).
John showcases God’s unconditional love through the atoning sacrifice of His beloved Son. (John 3:14-17).
Furthermore, he presents Jesus as people’s Redeemer and Giver of eternal life to all who believe in Him. (John 10:28; 17:2).
Taught by Jesus and inspired by the Holy Spirit, the beloved disciple John writes with the explicit purpose:
That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God. And that believing ye might have life through His name. John 20:31.
He builds his case through a series of powerful narratives about Jesus’:
- Interaction With His Father, immediate disciples and other followers, and religious leaders.
- Profound “I Am” statements.
- Sacrificial death and resurrection.
- Supernatural actions, healing and raising the dead.
The apostle John records them as eye witness and most importantly receiving them as inspiration.
This post is for all seekers of truth and growth in Jesus. They will find Him as embodiment of God’s nature, loving character and power.
Key takeaways
- Highlighting the Divine origin and nature of Jesus. The Word that was God became flesh, dwelling among us. (John 1:14).
- Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God leads to salvation and eternal life through His name.
- Exploring how Jesus identifies Himself through His own “I AM” statements.
- Emphasizing Christ’s atoning sacrifice as the means of glorifying God the Father, Himself and His followers.
Table of contents
- Divinity of Jesus Christ in John’s Gospel
- The Gospel of John theme – “Believe in the Son of God”
- Jesus’ I AM statements of John’s Gospel
- Christ sacrifice as glorification of the Father, Himself and people
- Renewal of heart in the new spiritual birth
- Conclusion on the Gospel of John themes
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About the author
Bojko Belovsky – founder of God’s Love Gateway
My promise to you: Always genuine Christ-centered messages for your life growth now leading to eternity.
Divinity of Jesus Christ in John’s Gospel
From the opening verses of his Gospel, John establishes Jesus’ pre-existence and co-eternity with God the Father. For example:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by Him. And without Him was not made anything that was made. John 1:1, 3.
John identifies the eternal Word with Jesus, who became flesh and made His dwelling among us. For instance:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14.
Additionally, he presents the testimonies of John the Baptist.
- John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; For He was before me. John 1:15.
- I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said by the prophet Esaias. (prophesied in Isaiah 40:3). John 1:23.
- The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me. For he was before me. John 1:29, 30.
Here is the conclusive example of John the Baptist about Jesus’ divinity:
I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1:32, 34.
One undeniable evidence is found also in John 12:28. Jesus said:
Father, glorify Thy name. Then there came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both (twice) glorified it, and will glorify it again.
And Jesus said to His audience: This voice came not because of Me, but for your sake. John 12:30.
For more, read – Believing The Evidence: This Is My Beloved Son
Keep growing from here
- Read or listen John 1 in KJV Bible – full chapter study with this section cross-references.
- Pray the Holy Spirit to reveal you the true meaning of Christ’s divinity.
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The Gospel of John theme – “Believe in the Son of God”
John consistently emphasizes that salvation and eternal life are gifts through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
For example:
- One that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life (everlasting). John 3:36.
- And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6:69.
- But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. And that believing ye might have life (eternal) through His name. John 20:31.
This faith is not simply intellectual acceptance of Christ as a Savior. It is a profound trust in God who sent His Son that I should not perish, but receive His saving grace.
The apostle also dwells on this theme in his letters (1 John 1:7; 1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:3). He explains that this is a commandment of God that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:23).
Furthermore, the Gospel of John is very much in line with the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul. (Matthew 26:63; Mark 1:1; Acts 8:37; Romans 1:3. 4).
So, all this confirms that the purpose of John’s message is to assure believers that:
- Jesus Christ is the incarnated in human substance Divine Son of God.
- As accepting Him through faith as such they have eternal life.
Receiving the gift of eternal life
John presents the words of Jesus, that the knowledge of God and His Son leads to eternal life. (John 17:3).
In the prayer for His disciples, Jesus said:
I have manifested Thy name (Father’s character) unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.
They have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. John 17:6, 8.
Additionally, Jesus gives them assurance with His own request:
Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am. That they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me. John 17:24.
Christ refers here to the glorious time after His resurrection and ascension to heaven. His teaching is a living word, benefiting and applying to His followers of all time.
He will share His eternal throne after HIs second coming with all those who overcome as He overcame.
Have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. John 6:33.
So, John’s Gospel empowers you to live in this life, firmly believing that:
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
The deep and abiding connection with the Father and the Son now will be carried into eternity after the resurrection of the righteous. (John 5:29; 11:25).
And their faith of today will be replaced by the reality of eternal life with the Father and the Son. (Revelation 22).
For more, read – Discovering Eternal Life: The Gift of Salvation in Christ
Go deeper on this truth
- Read or listen John 17 in KJV – Draw encouragement from Jesus’ prayer for you.
- Grow in faith by all that Jesus asks His Father to do on your behalf in the same chapter.
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Jesus’ I AM statements of John’s Gospel
Jesus reveals Himself as the divine Son of God in many of His “I AM” statements.
On one occasion, He was confronted by the leaders about His own testimony, which is not true. For example:
The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself. Your record is not true.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of Myself, yet My record is true.
It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
I Am One that bears witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me beareth witness of Me.
He that sent Me is true. And I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him. John 8:13-18; 26.
Again, as the most important evidence, Jesus brings the testimony of His Father.
This is so well dwell on by the other Gospel writers as well. (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35).
After numerous supernatural acts, Jesus told His disciples one of the reasons for His miracles. For example:
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me. Or else believe me for the very works’ sake. John 14:11.
In other words, He told them, “What I say and what I do is equally true”. This is an important object lesson to HIs followers of all time.
Those who haven’t witnessed the miracles themselves have the testimonies of His Word, even today.
So, the “I AM” statements of Jesus are not mere metaphors but bold declarations of:
- His divine existence and nature:
- I am the Son of God, Master and Lord – John 10:36. John 13:13.
- One with the Father and sent from the Father – John 7:28, 29; 8:18; 14:10.
- Mission in the name of the Father and glorifying the Father – John 5:43; 8:23, 28.
- Being the Messiah – John 4:26; 8;24; 13:19.
- Giver of eternal life – John 11:25.
- Himself as peoples’ Savior from sin:
- Redeemer who gave up His life for the life of the world – John 6:51.
- The only way to salvation and God – John 10:9; 14:6.
- Embodiment of the “good news” for the entire world:
- Light of the world – the heavenly truth the world needs in time of spiritual darkness – John 8:12.
- Bread of life – Feeding on Jesus’s teaching for spiritual growth as on daily bread – John 6:35
- Good shepherd – One who cares for His sheep even to the point of death – John 10:11.
- Vine and its branches – One who sustains the spiritual life of His disciples to bear spiritual fruits – John 15:5.
Those examples are not an exhaustive list. Rather they are informative and leading.
The light to the world from the light of the cross
God’s redeeming love for the world is on dazzling display at the cross of Calvary.
This light, according to John, lightens everyone that comes to the world (John 1:9). So, His truth is not for a specific group of people or nations, but for the entire world.
God is Creator of humankind and He cares for everyone without partiality. (John 1:3).
Embodied in Jesus, it dispels the spiritual darkness for His followers. Moreover, it shows the bright way of eternal life through faith in Him. (John 8:12)
Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for everyone. No one can atone for oneself. He was lifted up on the cross as He explained to Nicodimus He would (John 3).
For example:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14, 15.
Thus in the light (truth) of the cross many who had never before known of the true God, began to comprehend the depth of the Father’s love.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world. But that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16, 17.
So, the Son of God became the “Lamb of God who takes the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He is the only way one can walk (metaphorically) with assurance to reunion with God.
For example:
I Am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by Me. John 14:6.
Being with the Father from eternity, He knows from experience the depth of His love. And His first hand revelation of this amazing fact is true.
For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. John 16:27.
This love is ours through faith in the Son of God. So, a connection with Christ means everything to us.
We are to be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
Go deeper into Jesus’ testimonies given by word and action
Read or listen John 6 in KJV – full chapter study about Jesus:
- Miraculously feeding the great company of five thousand.
- Supernaturally walking on aroused sea water under blowing wind.
- Presenting Himself as the true “Bread of life”, coming down from heaven.
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Christ sacrifice as glorification of the Father, Himself and people
At the atoning sacrifice of Christ culminates the glorification of:
- The Father and His way of dealing with sin for the entire Universe (Cosmos).
- The Divine Son of God and His earthly mission from the cradle to the cross.
- People in their justification, sanctification and acceptance in the beloved in God’s Kingdom.
John presents this in a very unique and relational way. He narrates extensively about the work that the Father gave to His Son.
For the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me. John 5:36.
On the cross, at the last moment before giving up His life, Jesus said: “It is finished”.
Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished. And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:28-30.
Earlier, interacting with the religious leaders at that time, Jesus said:
I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who hath sent me. John 5:30.
So, with “It is finished”, He addressed His Father. They both covenanted to save humanity even before their creation. And Christ was lifted up on the cross as :
- The Lamb of God who takes the sin of the world (John 1:29).
- The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
Thus Jesus was doing the will of His Father on Calvary, completing the work of human redemption.
His death had answered the question:
Do God the Father and the Son have sufficient love for humankind to exercise self denial and sacrifice?
And all Heaven witnesses on Golgotha the victory of good over evil. The loving character of the Godhead shines all alone at this sorrowful event.
This victory of sacrificing love is the glory that the Son brought to His Father, Himself and humanity. (John 12:28-30).
Glorifying God in thoughts, words and conduct
The apostle John explains what it means to glorify God, coming to it from different angels. He speaks how:
- Jesus glorifies the Father in His entire life, even the death on the cross.
- The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus after His resurrection and ascension to Heaven.
- Christ’s disciples glorify God in their lives, exemplifying His character.
Jesus trusted the Father in the most difficult time as the sin bearer of the entire world.
For example:
- Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause I came at this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. John 12:27, 28.
- Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath. The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? John 18:11.
As fully human, Jesus struggled severely to the point of sweating blood. Nevertheless, He kept His Father’s will and thus glorified Him.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter sent by Jesus from the Father (John 15:26), who will :
- Glorify Jesus – He shall glorify Me (Jesus). For he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you (John 16:14).
- Dwell in Christ’s disciples, guiding them into all truth – He will testify of me (Jesus) and show you things to come (John 15:26; 16:13). You know him. For he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17).
Jesus admonishes His disciples to remain in His love (John 15:9). It is only possible as the branches (disciples) abide in the Vine (Jesus). (John 15:4).
And the Father is presented by the figure of Husbandman.
The Father is glorified by the spiritual fruits of Son’s disciples. For example:
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. So shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8.
Keep growing from here
Read or listen John 15 in KJV Bible – full chapter study about Christ:
- Declaring Himself as the source (Vine), supplying needed sup for spiritual growth of His disciples (branches).
- Intimacy with His disciples as existing between friends.
Renewal of heart in the new spiritual birth
The Holy Spirit is the only effective teacher of divine truth. When the Spirit sets the truth home in the heart, it will then quicken the conscience and transform life.
God’s Word and Spirit work in unison for your heart (character) renewal the way only He can do. (Philippians 2:13).
This is a crucial point in the growth (sanctification) process of the believer, so Jesus said:
Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3.
It is Christ’s cross that initiates the new spiritual birth, drawing the individual to Him.
If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me. John 12:37.
Then coming to the foot of the cross with a broken heart and contrite spirit, one accepts by faith the substitutionary death of God’s Son.
Thus God connects to people, who allow Him to work in them:
Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6.
In the heart renewed by the Divine Spirit, love is the ruling principle of action. So this love:
- Modifies the character after the pattern Jesus Christ.
- Ennobles the affections by following the same example.
So the Spirit conforms the renewed heart to the model Jesus Christ. Thus the Old Testament promise found in the book of Ezekiel comes to fulfillment:
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26.
John’s narrative of Christ’s new instructions of love
Just before Christ’s betrayal and after the example of humility of the foot washing, He said to His disciples:
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another. As I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34.
This was their last meeting. Jesus expressed His desire that they would love one another as He had loved them.
He knew the real condition of their hearts. For His disciples this commandment was new. They had not loved one another as Christ had loved them.
Through His life and death, they would receive a new conception of love. The command to love one another had a new meaning in the light of His self-sacrifice.
His entire life is one continual service of love – self-denying and sacrificing. This is the new understanding of love He presents, being the prime example.
He assures them in His teachings that all originates and streams from the throne of the ultimate source of love – God the Father. For example:
- Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me. Or else believe Me for the very works’ sake. John 14:11.
- As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in My love.
- If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love. Even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. John 15:9, 10.
So, the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus demonstrated on the cross of Calvary is to be found in His followers.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:12-14.
Go deeper on this truth
Read or listen John 3 in KJV Bible – full chapter study about Jesus:
- Interaction and teaching with Nicodemus about the new spiritual birth by the divine Spirit.
- Whom God has sent according to John the Baptist’s testimonies.
Conclusion on the Gospel of John themes
John’s Gospel highlights the Divine origin and nature of Jesus. He declares that the Word that was God became flesh, dwelling among us. (John 1:14).
The apostle John presents Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God to humanity (John 1:18; 6:46). It is throughout His life and ministry, atoning sacrifice and resurrection.
His narrative explains the infinite love of God for humanity, bringing Him down to our broken world. (John 3:16).
Through His atoning sacrifice Jesus became the world’s Redeemer, giving up His life for the life of the world. (John 6:51).
John presents the cross as an ultimate victory of God’s love for the world . The infinite love pays the price for human redemption on Calvary.
This is the glory of God (goodness and character) shining from the cross to the entire Cosmos.
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References
https://christoverall.com/article/concise/the-gospel-of-john-development-message-and-themes/
Where to go from here
- How To Study The Bible? – Apply these principles for clear spiritual discernment.
- The Gospel of Matthew Primary Themes – explore Matthew’s account on Divinity of Jesus Christ
- Know God category – Continue building the big picture of the Father’s and His Son relationship with humanity.
- God’s Love Content Hub – All Christ-centered teaching in one place.
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