John

Theme 1: The Lord is in control of all things and uses events and circumstances for his purpose and our response should be to worship and trust him. In John 1, the sovereignty of the Lord deciding when and where to come into the world is noted. The Lord’s knowledge is also shown in that he knew Nathaniel before Nathaniel was aware of him. He tells Nathaniel that he will see much greater things than this after Nathaniel readily believes he is the savior. The story of the water being turned into wine reminds me that Christ has plans for us and I must be attentive to his plan. The story of Nicademeus in John 3 illustrates how Christ knows the hearts of people and is able to reach out to them. The Holy Spirit works in people’s lives prompting them to come to Jesus and allowing them to have an attitude of awe.

Theme 2: Our focus as believers are to be sharing the good news and we need to be rooted in the Scriptures God has given us. In meeting the Samaritan women, Christ focused on her need to hear the good news and not on her questions about customs and practices. In his discussion Jesus alluded to the Temple worship and to the worship of God on the mountain as the Patriarchs had. In John 5, while discussing how he came from heaven, Christ alluded to the Law, when he said that Moses had testified about him. In John 6, after feeding the 5000, Christ stated that he was the bread of life and alluded to the manna provided by the Lord for the Israelites in the wilderness. He spoke of giving them bread from heaven where they would know God.

Theme 3 : Christ is the one who gives us a revelation of what God is like and teaches us the Scripture. John 7 discusses Jesus ‘s teaching that he is the one who will give us new life by alluding to the water that sprang up from the rock during the time the Lord provided the Israelites water from a rock in the desert. John 8 discusses how Jesus noted that he was the light of the world who would give us the light of life and also noted that Jesus said that he must be lifted up just as the Israelites had lifted up the bronze snake in Numbers 21:9. John 9 tells of how Jesus healed a man born blind and teaches us that we must deal with spiritual blindness and that it was not obeying the rules of the Law but having an attitude of love focused on God’s kingdom that was key.

Theme 4: Christ will lead and guide us and we can live a life of trust based on his love for us. John 10 describes Jesus discussion about being a good shepherd, who leads, guides, protects and lays down his life for the sheep. John 11 discusses how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and lovingly comforted Mary. John 12 describes Jesus‘s entry into Jerusalem and his being anointed by Mary Magdalene. I am reminded how the Lord I s sovereign and in control as his prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Mary acted out of her trust in Jesus’ goodness when she made a sacrifice by giving up a great deal of her resources.

Theme 5: Christ has given us the Holy Spirit to lead , guide and transform us into new creations with attitudes that our focused on him. In John 13 Christ demonstrated the love and care we are to have for each other when he washes his disciple’s feet. In John 14 Jesus gives all who follow him his Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. In John 15 a life that is rooted in Christ and the Holy Spirit is discussed.

Theme 6: Christ is the revelation of God’s truth and gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth. Christ told the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. ( John 16:13). In John 17 in his prayer for all those who would believe in him , Jesus prayed that we would be made holy or sanctified by the word of the Lord which is truth. In his trail before Pilate Christ said that he came to testify to the truth.

Theme 7: God has a plan for human history and for his followers. Christ’s crucifixion in John 19 fulfills many prophecies made about him, showing God working in human history. Christ used Mary Magdalene to tell the disciples about his resurrection and his fulfilling God‘s plan for the salvation of all people. The discussion about Jesus meeting and forgiving Peter when he has a final meal with his disciples , in John 21, and Peter hearing about Christ’s plans for him reminds me that he has a plan for my ,life which I must submit to .