Day 248 – John: Theme

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” John 1:1-2 NLT

John discloses Jesus’ identity with his very first words of the Gospel. The rest of the book continues the theme. John, an eyewitness, chose eight of Jesus’ miracles (or miraculous signs, as he calls them) to reveal Jesus’ divine and human natures and life-giving mission.

In every chapter, Jesus’ deity is revealed. And His true identity is underscored through the titles He is given – the Word, the “one and only Son,” the Lamb of God, the Son of God, “the true bread,” “the resurrection and the life,” the Vine. And the formula is I AM. When Jesus uses this phrase, He affirms His pre-existence and eternal deity when He says, “I am the bread of life … the light of the world … the gate … the good shepherd … the resurrection and the life … the way, the truth, and the life … the true grapevine.”

The greatest sign, of course, is the Resurrection, and John provides a stirring eyewitness account of finding the empty tomb. Then he records various post-Resurrection appearances by Jesus.

John, a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, has given us a personal and powerful look at his beloved master, the eternal Son of God. As you read his account, commit yourself to believing in and following him.

Prayer: Father, may we grow closer to Jesus to see Him exactly as John describes, as the Son who chose to become human because of love, and that Jesus is all that He says He is, and that we can completely put our faith in Him through believing that He is who He is said to be. No more doubting, wondering, searching. Just unshakable faith in Jesus, the Son of God. Our true bread, the vine, the light, the gate, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, and the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.