John

The Beginning of all things was the Word

• The Word was With God.
• The Word was God.
• The Word made all things.
• The Word was Life which was the light of men.
• The Word was in the world but not recognized by man.
• The Word gives the right to be spiritual children of God.
• The Word became flesh living among men.

Testimony of John The Baptist

• The one, Jesus, coming after me is far greater than I.
• This Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
• I saw the Spirit descend on Jesus.

Jesus Begins His Ministry Some of John’s disciples left him to follow Jesus believing He was the Messiah.

“Nicodemus a member of the ruling council came to Jesus at night (probably not wanting to be seen) and said Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. ‘For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked. Jesus said I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”

“No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven — the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Which is the reason God gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:2-15) Comment: “For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” What a profound statement that Nicodemus’s fellow council members either could not see or refused to recognize.

Comment: The kingdom of God cannot be entered by any earthly means, ancestry, power, position or money since it is spiritual and requires a spiritual birth through accepting Jesus as God and through obedience to His message of forgiveness and reconciliation.

“Jesus left Judea and departed again for Galilee passing through a town of Samaria called Sychar, Jacob's well was there; so, Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. … There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’ The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?’ (Jews did not deal with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is

saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Go, call your husband, and come here.’ The woman answered him, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.’ Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he (the Messiah).” (John 4:3-26)

“The woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?’ They went out of the town and were coming to him. Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ So, when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.’” (John 4:28-30; 39-42)

“Jesus left Samaria and went again to Galilee where He healed a royal official’s son by not being in the official’s son’s presence but only speaking his healing. The official believed his son was healed and left.” (John 4:52)

“Jesus went to Jerusalem where he healed an invalid who sat at the Sheep gate pool. The Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.’ This infuriated them even more because He was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God (Jesus had just done the human impossible). Jesus responded with ‘Whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:1-24)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come

out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:25-29)

Comment: The spiritually dead are unable to hear Christ's message. They did not want to hear anything different than their traditions implemented over many years by their leaders.

“But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:42-47)

Comment: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” (Deut. 18:15-16)

“Jesus had gone to the other side of the lake. The crowds went there seeking Him. Jesus said “you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life (words of Christ), which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So, they said to him, ‘Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Jesus then said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life (He is the food for eternal life); whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last

• For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.’” (John 6:26-40)

Comment: Belief requires more than awareness it requires action. If you truly believe you are about to die physically, you will take some action to prevent your death. The same is true spiritually, for if you truly believe Jesus is God and who gives eternal life, you will take whatever action necessary to receive eternal life with Him.

“The Jews grumbled about him, because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him (by the message of Jesus). I will raise him up on the last

• It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers

ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’” (John 6:41-51)

Comment: The living bread is the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, since He is eternal life. His message when obeyed from the heart, not out of duty or some ritual, gives forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

“Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves. How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood (consumes His very being as the everlasting God who is in human form and will become the sacrifice that atones for sin) has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.’ He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’” (John 6:52-60)

Comment: God puts those into Christ's Body, His Church, following their repentance, lifestyle change, and burial by immersion – baptism.

“Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, ‘Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before (back to The Father)! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.’ (John 6:61- 66) Comment: Jesus’ statement “The words I have spoken to you” gives forgiveness and salvation – Eternal Life – through Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

“The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near; Jesus went but in secret. The crowds were looking for him whispering ‘He is a good man.’ Others replied, ‘No, he deceives the people.’ But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.” (John 7:12-13)

Halfway through the Feast Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. The Jews were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having studied?’ Jesus replied ‘My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (John 7:14-17)

“‘Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?’ ‘You are demon-possessed,’ the crowd answered. Some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, ‘Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ.’” (John 7:19-26)

“Jesus said, ‘I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.’ Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? “(John 7:33-35)

Comment: How often had Jesus told them He was from the Father, as evidenced by his miracles? Their traditions that the Christ would be earthly prevented their willingness to believe.

Come to Me I Am The Way “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7:37-39)

“I am the light of the world (God’s message of salvation). Whoever follows me will never walk-in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.’” (John 8:21)

“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am (the one I claim to be), you will indeed die in your sins.” (John 8:23-24)

Comment: If one does not act upon their belief that Jesus is God, they cannot be forgiven of sins.

“They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So, Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man (when crucified on the cross), then you will know that I am (the one I claim to be) and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:27-30)

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Comment: If you do not hold to His teachings, you cease being His disciple as you are not a believing follower.

“Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.” (John 8:34-38)

“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any

of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:42-47)

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva, anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’. He went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some claimed that he was. Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man.’ … So, they brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees. It was a Sabbath day when Jesus healed the blind man. Therefore, the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. The man replied Jesus put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see. Some said this man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath. But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?’ But others asked, ‘How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?’ Finally, they turned again to the blind man, ‘What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ The man replied, ‘He is a prophet.’ The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. ‘Is this your son?’ they asked. ‘Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’ ‘We know he is our son,’ the parents answered, ‘and we know he was born blind.’ … For the second time they called the man saying ‘Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ … The man answered, ‘Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.’ … They answered him, ‘You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.’” (John 9:1-34)

Comment: They knew the man was blind – “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Yet they refused to acknowledge the impossible. Oh, the power of tradition.

“Jesus said he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. Their shepherd goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:1-5)

“I am the door and the Good Shepherd who will lay down his life for the sheep. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-17)

“I have other sheep that are not of this fold (other sheep are followers that are not Jews). I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:16-18)

“It was winter, Jesus was walking in the temple. The Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do (miracles obvious to the masses that He was from God, but unacceptable to their leaders) in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has

given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.’” (John 10:22-30)

Raising Lazarus for Dead It was told to Jesus that Lazarus of Bethany was ill. Jesus said this illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. A little later He said “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” (John 11:11-16)

“When Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. … Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’” (John 11:17, 21-27)

“Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’” (John 11:38-44)

“Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, ‘What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.’ … Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish. From that day on they made plans to put him to death.’” (John 11:45-49, 53)

Time Is Near for The Atoning Sacrifice “Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?" Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.” (John 11:55-57)

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and

given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.’” (John 12:1; 4-8)

“Therefore, the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” (John 12:10-11)

Comment: Murder was forbidden by the Law of Moses, which they intended to ignore. Their power, prestige, wealth, and honor were more important to them than God’s commandments.

“A large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So, they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! (meaning Save us!) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!’” (from Zachariah 9:9) (John 12:12-15)

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:23-26)

“Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world (Satan) be cast out. When I am lifted up from the earth (being crucified on the cross), I will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:31-32)

“The light (Jesus) is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.” (John 12:35-37)

“Many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” (John 12:42-43)

“Jesus cried out and said, ‘Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. Whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.’” (John 12:44-50)

Comment: The Message of Jesus, His Word, was and is the Gospel, forgiveness of sins is through Christ. Acceptance through faith, trust and obedience gives eternal life, rejection gives everlasting death. Thereby one’s actions either accept or reject His Word which judges.

“Jesus knew that his hour had come. He began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’” (John 13:1, 5, 12-21)

“I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Comment: God is love, so to be like Him one must also love.

“‘Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.’… ‘You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.’” (John 13:36; 14;4-14)

The Spirit of Truth “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14:15-21)

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. … I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” (John 14:25- 26, 30-31)

“‘My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”” (John 15:1-2, 4) Comment: Anyone that God has put into Christ’s Church can choose not to remain in Him thereby, invalidating the teaching of “once saved always saved” because if you do not walk in the light then the blood of Christ cannot continue to cleanse on of sins - if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27)

“Jesus told His disciples ‘a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.’ … "Now I am going to him who sent me … but, When the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:2- 3, 5, 13-16)

Jesus’ Prayer “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’” (John 17:1-3)

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:13- 18)

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (including Gentiles), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

The Tine Has Come “When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. Judas came guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the

high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. Pilate came out to them and asked, ‘What charges are you bringing against this man?’ ‘Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.’ ‘But we have no right to execute anyone.’” (John 18:1, 3, 12-14, 28-31)

“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘Is that your own idea,’ Jesus asked, ‘or did others talk to you about me?’ ‘Am I a Jew?’ Pilate replied. ‘It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?’ Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’ ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” (John 18:33-37)

“Pilate went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him. It is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?’ They shouted back, ‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’” (John 18:38-40)

“Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they struck him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.’ The chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify! Crucify!’ He must die, because he claimed to be the Son of

• When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said.

‘Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.’” (John 19:1- 12)

“Finally, Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified and had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:16, 19)

“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:38-40)

The Resurrection “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. She came running to Simon Peter and John and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!’” (John 20:1-2)

“Peter and John started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the

burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. They went inside the tomb saw and believed.” (John 20:3-9)

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Again, Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’” (John 20:19-23)

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore by the Sea of Tiberias, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven't you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ … Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ ‘Come and have breakfast.’ … When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Again, Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” (John 21:4-15)

Key Points from John ➢ Jesus was and is God. ➢ Through Jesus, all things were created. ➢ Jesus is the only way to eternal life. ➢ His miracles were proof Jesus was God in the human body. ➢ A closed mind steeped in tradition cannot accept what they see or hear. ➢ Eternal Life is available to all who believe; e.g., put their trust in Christ and act on their knowledge of His commands. ➢ John was with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. Therefore, an eyewitness to things he wrote. ➢ Whoever has Jesus obeys commands is the one who loves me.

Question - What is so important about John’s statement “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God?”