Messianic Checkpoint: The Gospel of John

Introduction: 

This era covers the Gospel of John 

The Gospel According to John

Author:

• There is ample evidence for crediting St. John the Apostle as the author of this Gospel

• Although never identified by name, the author refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and states that he is an eyewitness to the events he relates (cf. 19:35; 21:19-24). 

• The early Church Fathers identified St. John overwhelmingly as this beloved disciple.

• The comparison of certain passages that have parallels in the Synoptic Gospels also seem to identify this unnamed disciple as St. John. 

• Certain awkward transitions and chronological discrepancies within the text have led some to speculate that this Gospel was assembled from a collection of accounts written over the course of years and perhaps edited by someone other than St. John while at the same time testifying that the testimony belongs to the beloved disciple. 

Date:

• The date of composition has been suggested as anywhere from AD 60 to later than 150, but most scholars place its writing between AD 90 and 100. 

• St. Ignatius of Antioch appears to have known about St. John’s Gospel by about AD 107. 

• Tradition has St. John writing his Gospel from Ephesus.

Audience:

• Part of the evidence for the late-first-century dating of John is that it presents a more developed theology of the life and teachings of Christ to an audience that had seen a more definitive break between the Christian faithful and the Jews. 

• In St. John’s account is not simply the Jewish authorities but the Jews generally who have rejected Jesus; he is the only Evangelist to report the expulsion of Christians from the synagogue. 

• His language and references to the Old Testament Scriptures and figures suggest that his primary audience was familiar with these themes and therefore, Jews or Jewish converts, perhaps mainly in the Mediterranean region. 

• His benevolent treatment of Samaritans may indicate that he also intended his Gospel for the people of Samaria. 

Main Themes:

• If Luke is the most eloquently structured Gospel, John is perhaps the most poetic. 

• St. John’s stated purpose was to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, the source of life for those who believe in him (cf. 20:31), a point he emphasizes with his beautiful prologue about the Word of God becoming flesh (cf. 1:1-18). 

• In so doing, he takes Gospel events reported by the other Evangelists to a new and deeper level, often with additional details. 

• He is more interested in a theological reflection than in mere narrative; for example, he offers the beautiful Bread of Life discourse (cf. 6:35-58) but does not repeat the words of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper (Sounds like a great Jeopardy question...I’ll take “Gospel Easter Eggs” for $1000, Alex 🤓). 

• He also quotes a lengthy address of Christ at the Last Supper about the meaning of his New Commandment of Love, illustrating its theme of service with his account of the washing of the disciples’ feet (cf. 13:1-17). 

• St. John, more than any other Evangelist, speaks explicitly of the Blessed Trinity and of how every human person is called to become a son or daughter or God. 

• This is accomplished by coming to know God through faith, receiving rebirth in Baptism, and receiving spiritual nourishment in the Eucharist. 

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)

• If we read straight through The Bible in a Year from beginning to end, we wouldn’t read any of the New Testament till around November

• So it was determined that it would be good for all of us to introduce a number of times where we get to take a step back and launch forward and see how all of this has been leading to Jesus Christ

• Remember, ALL of the Old Testament is POINTING TO the New Testament

• ALL of the Old Testament is POINTING TO JESUS, who is the FULFILLMENT OF EVERYTHING

• So for the next 7 Days (hmmm coincidence? 🤔) we will be walking through The Gospel According to John

• So, what about Jesus?

• Here we are, ready to jump forward in the story

• St. Augustine said, “The Old Testament is revealed in the New. The New Testament is hidden in the Old.”

• When it specifically comes to the Gospel According to John, there are a number of really critical connections that are FULFILLMENTS of all the stuff we have been reading so far

• Those of us who are up to this point in The Bible in a Year will hear John’s Gospel in an ENTIRELY NEW WAY, knowing what we know now (which should be a lot, and even if you don’t remember EVERYTHING SO FAR, well that’s kind of the point of this study guide, isn’t it? You can always go back and reference and re-read what you need to 😉)

• Knowing what we know from Genesis through 1 Samuel, this is going to be a unique experience, journeying through John

• One thing to remember is that ALL SCRIPTURE we have read and heard up to now is ALL CHRISTOCENTRIC

• It finds its FULFILLMENT in Jesus Christ

• That is what Bible Study is ALL ABOUT

• Pope Benedict XVI emphasized RECAPITULATIVE HISTORY

• This is a big, fancy word for “Jesus came and did it again”

• Jesus came and relived those stories

• Keep in mind, as you read the Gospels, that this is about FULFILLING SOMETHING

• It is about the SON OF GOD fulfilling what the FIRST-BORN SON (Pop Quiz!! Who is the first-born son this statement is referring to? Answer in the comment section of the Facebook Post! 🤓) did not complete

• Jesus had to fulfill ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS

• Jesus had to COMPLETE this

• We have some guidelines in the Catechism of the Catholic Church about it being a revelation of WHO JESUS CHRIST IS

• The Gospel According to John is DIFFERENT

• There are 4 Gospels (Raise your hand if you knew this 😉 ✋🏾)

• The question comes up, “Wouldn’t one gospel be enough that tells the whole story?”

• The reason for having 4 Gospels is that each one has a DIFFERENT EMPHASIS

• Some of the Gospels SHARE STORIES

• Matthew, Mark, and Luke, seem to be sharing the same stories, the same miracles, some of the dialogue, etc.

• The Gospel According to John is really different from the other three and therefore STANDS OUT

• The Gospel According to John is for a more UNIVERSAL AUDIENCE

• There is an emphasis in each of the Gospels

• The Gospel According to Matthew: JESUS IS KING

• The Gospel According to Mark: JESUS AS THE SERVANT

• The Gospel According to Luke: JESUS THE MAN OF HUMANITY

• The Gospel According to John: JESUS AS GOD

• Matthew’s Gospel starts with a genealogy 

• John’s Gospel starts with the DIVINITY OF JESUS

• A few other interesting things are that there only 8 MIRACLES recorded in John

• 6 of these miracles are VERY PECULIAR to John

• John doesn’t have any PARABLES

• Matthew had 9 Parables

• Luke had 35 Parables!!

• Every single chapter of John provides a separate portrait of WHO CHRIST IS and what he has DEMONSTRATED as far as BEING GOD

• Matthew, Mark, and Luke are SYNOPTIC GOSPELS and tell us what Jesus DID

• John’s Gospel tells us WHO JESUS IS

• Over one third of John’s Gospel, Chapters 12-19, covers THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS

• John really focuses on the crucial work Jesus did through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection

• Our RESPONSE to the Gospel of John is the word: BELIEVE

• BELIEVE is used many many times in John’s Gospel

• John is SHOWING YOU Jesus is God

• Jesus is the KEY TO SALVATION

• So the onus is upon us to RESPOND TO IT

• WE BELIEVE THE TRUTH

• The Gospel of John also makes the connection between BELIEF AND OBEDIENCE

• We also see what happens when the people show a LACK OF BELIEF AND DISOBEDIENCE

• The Heart of the Gospel of John is Ch 3:16 (POP QUIZ!!! What does this verse say? Answer in the Facebook Post Comments 😁)

• But then we learn that some disobeyed 

• This illuminates what it truly means to believe not only in the context that we assent with our INTELLECT, but was also say YES WITH OUR WILL

• If you love me, you will do what I commanded you

• There is a connection between FAITH and THE WAY WE LIVE in John’s Gospel

• What is striking about John’s Gospel is how THOROUGHLY FULL OF JESUS’ DIRECT TEACHINGS it is

• The Bread of Life discourse

• The Last Supper Discourse and how much Jesus is teaching that last night before his Betrayal, Suffering, and Passion

• The High Priestly Prayer in Ch 17 is an amazing prayer so keep an eye out for it

• The focus of this prayer is that Jesus prays that WE ARE ONE AS HE AND THE FATHER ARE ONE

• St. Pope John Paul II did LECTIO DIVINA on the Gospel of John every month of his pontificate (POP QUIZ!! What is Lectio Divina? Give your answer in the Facebook Comments 😁)

• St. Pope John Paul II OWNED IT, He OWNED THAT GOSPEL by praying with it so much

• This can be a lesson for all of us

• Pick a Gospel and OWN IT

• Pick a Gospel and KNOW IT

• Memorize the MAIN THEME OF EVERY CHAPTER

• The Gospel According to John is great for that

• Every chapter is a PORTRAIT OF WHO JESUS IS

• For example, we have the famous 9 “I AM” statements in this Gospel

• John 6: “I am the bread of life”

• John 8: “I am the light of the world”

• John 8: “Before Abraham was, I am”

• John 10: “I am the door”

• John 10: “I am the good shepherd”

• John 11: “I am the Resurrection and the Life”

• John 14: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”

• John 15: “I am the true vine”

• John 18: “I am he”

• John seems to enjoy doing this

• When John later wrote the Book of Revelation, he also uses “I am the Alpha and the Omega”

• “I am the beginning and the end”

• “I am the first and last”

• “I am he who lives and was dead”

• “I am he who searches and reigns in hearts”

• “I am the root and offspring of David”

• “I am the bright morning star”

• John is really into revealing WHO JESUS IS

• John is really into revealing JESUS’ DIVINITY

• That is really beautiful

• The one verse that really caps it all off in The Gospel According to John is Ch 10:30 where Jesus says, “I and the Father are ONE.”

• John 14: “He who has seen me has seen THE FATHER”

• END OF CASE

• END OF DISCUSSION ;)

• It makes it so clear that Jesus is making the connection of who he KNOWS himself to be

• I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE

• BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM

• Remember, in the Book of Exodus, God REVEALED His sacred name I AM

• Here is Jesus who takes that and claims it for himself

• In the last Chapter of John’s Gospel, after Jesus has Risen, Peter and the boys are out on the lake and they catch a certain number of fish

• Hmmm….what could this mean? 🤔

• John Ch 21: John wanted you to know how many fish

• Seems sort of strange

• John either has a thing for numbers, or he’s trying to tell us something

• It is 153 fish, thanks St. John!

• Although there were so many, the net was not torn

• Remember, numbers mean something to the Jewish People

• In the Hebrew language, there is no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 or 10

• They use the ALPHABET to depict numbers

• Every letter has a NUMERICAL VALUE

• When you put the phrase “I AM GOD” in Hebrew, it comes up to the equivalent of 153!!!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯

• WHAT?? (Oooh I’m saving this one for a pop quiz later!!)

• That is an AMAZING REVELATION for those who can see God in EVERYTHING

• THERE IS NOTHING FISHY ABOUT THIS!! 🤪

• The Bible has SO MANY LAYERS TO IT

• We get to allow the entire story of John’s Gospel to wash over us and take it in

• We won’t be able to TAKE IT ALL IN

• But we are going to allow in whatever can get in

• In one week, we will have heard A GOSPEL IN ITS ENTIRETY

• This is a BLESSING

• John is speaking about the DIVINITY OF CHRIST and at the end of his Gospel, remember this is after Peter DENIED JESUS THREE TIMES

• Peter is the FIRST POPE, and even HE did not serve the purpose of the Lord the way he was SUPPOSED TO

• Peter actually WENT BACK TO FISHING IN GALILEE

• Jesus told him, “No, you still have this calling in life.”

• And that’s where the 153 fish come in 

• 153 when used with Hebrew Letters is “Ani Elohim” aka “I AM GOD”

• Ani = 61

• Elohim = 92

• What is 61 + 92?

• Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Mcfly? THINK, MCFLY!! THINK!! 😉

• 153!!

• This is showing us that GOD IS STILL GOD even after we have blown it like Peter did

• Maybe those of us reading this feel like we haven’t been the servant of God we need to be

• The Husband we should have been

• The Son we should have been

• The Wife we should have been

• The Daughter we should have been

• This is the Gospel where we have a chance to BEGIN AFRESH 

• Jesus says “Come Follow Me” 

• “LECH ACHARAI” in Hebrew

• We have this fear of “I know what I’ve done, so am I disqualified?”

• We have this fear of “Jesus is going to go on without me and get someone else”

• NO YOU ARE NOT DISQUALIFIED

• YOU ARE RESTORED

• That’s what the last Chapters of The Gospel According to John are about

• If you haven’t been to a place where you feel you may have disqualified yourself when it comes to belonging to The Lord or serving The Lord, WAIT

• The Lord Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me? Feed my sheep”

• “Let me restore you”

• “You are not disqualified”

• “YOU ARE RESTORED”

• Say it with me now!!

• THAT IS SUCH A GIFT!!

• Now here are a few bonus takeaways from Jeff Cavins

• John Chs 7 and 8 is the story of the woman caught in adultery and the people want to STONE HER

• They are shaming her and she is broken

• The Lord releases her from that SHAME

• The Lord brings her TO HIMSELF

• So remember that whatever shame you have in your life, whether it is shame for something you said, shame in your town, shame in your family, shame for something you did in college (I plead the fifth amendment on this one 🤪), JESUS IS NOT GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THAT SHAME FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

• JESUS RELEASES YOU

• WHY?

• BECAUSE JESUS IS GOD

• BECAUSE JESUS IS DIVINE

• That is not just a theological point

• THAT IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT WE CAN HAVE IN OUR LIVES

• BECAUSE JESUS IS GOD, WE CAN BE FREE FROM SHAME

• BECAUSE JESUS IS GOD, WE CAN BE RESTORED TO THE LORD 

• Whether it’s you, me, or Pope Francis 😁

• Guilt is when we know that we have failed to live up to a standard

• Shame is when YOU see that I have failed to live up to that standard

• Shame is when I am guilty IN YOUR EYES

• It’s a relational situation

• The remedy there for the woman caught in adultery is that she is on the ground before Jesus and Jesus SEES HER AND KNOWS HER AND LOVES HER

• Jesus says, “I do not condemn you, GO AND SIN NO MORE”

• Allow yourself TO BE SEEN BY JESUS

• This is one of the most powerful REMEDIES FOR SHAME

• Just a reminder that every Thursday at around 1-2 pm Eastern Time in the United States #ASKJEFFCAVINS for answers to a few questions about our journey

• Remember the perspective that WE TRUST GOD

• GOD IS NOT ARBITRARY

• GOD IS CONSISTENT 

• GOD’S ACTIONS ARE ALWAYS HELD TO WHO HE IS

• We need each other on this journey

• It’s not just about ourselves

• It’s about the WHOLE COMMUNITY OF US, A FAMILY

• We are allowing God’s Word to SHAPE OUR HEARTS

• We are allowing God’s Word to FORM OUR VISION

• So that we can SEE LIKE GOD SEES

• So that we can LOVE LIKE GOD LOVES

• So that we can TRULY LIVE AS GOD HAS CALLED US TO LIVE

• In order to do that, WE NEED GRACE

• KEEP PRAYING FOR FR. MIKE

• KEEP PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER