Emerging Leaders

SOM-13 Understanding Jesus

Gospel of John

Four Themes of John• Moses• Abraham• Father• Me

1. Moses• “Signs” shmeion • “… the reference is almost always to the leading

of the people out of Egypt by Moses & to the special circumstances under which the people stood up to the passage of the Red Sea & in all of which God proved Himself to be the Almighty & showed Israel to be His chosen people.”

• 2:23 “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.”

1. MosesSo whenever we read the word shmeion in John we need to think back to the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. John is telling us that Jesus is identified with that action through his performance of these signs. What John also shows us, however, is that Jesus is not just like Moses; rather he is greater than Moses & thus worthy of greater respect.

1. Moses• The Sign of Turning the Water into Wine [John 2:1-11] – 2:11 “Cana in Galilee was the place where Jesus began to

perform miracles. He made his glory public there, & his disciples believed in him. ” • What did this reveal about Jesus?

– Mark 7:3-4 (The Pharisees, like all other Jewish people, don't eat unless they have properly washed their hands. They follow the traditions of their ancestors. When they come from the marketplace, they don't eat unless they have washed first. They have been taught to follow many other rules. For example, they must also wash their cups, jars, brass pots, & dinner tables. )

– Signifies … the “replacement of the old purifications by the wine of the kingdom of God…” (Dodd)

1. Moses (& Elijah)• The Sign of The Healing of the Nobleman’s Son

[John 4:46-54] – 4:48 “48 Jesus told the official, "If people don't see

miracles & amazing things, they won't believe."” – 4:54 “This was the 2nd miracle that Jesus performed

after he had come back from Judea to Galilee. ” – Nu 12:13 “So Moses cried to the LORD, "Please, God,

heal her!”– 1Ki 17:10-24 healing of widow’s son at Zarephath– Signifies … Jesus is a healer like the prophets of God.

But he can heal at a distance without calling on the name of God.

1. Moses• The Sign of Feeding a Huge Crowd [John 6:1-15] – 6:2 “A large crowd followed him because they saw the

miracles that he performed for the sick.” – 6:14 “When the people saw the miracle Jesus

performed, they said, "This man is certainly the prophet who is to come into the world." ”

– Signifies … Jesus is the supplier of human need. There are many examples of Moses providing food & water in the desert. They thought that his prophet would be the same.

1. Moses• The Sign of Bread from Heaven [John 6:25-59] – 6:26 “Jesus replied to them, "I can guarantee this

truth: You're not looking for me because you saw miracles. You are looking for me because you ate as much of those loaves as you wanted.”

– 6:30-31 “The people asked him, ‘What miracle are you going to perform so that we can see it and believe in you? What are you going to do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the desert. Scripture says, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

1. Moses• The Sign of Bread from Heaven [John 6:25-59] – Ex 16:4 “The LORD said to Moses, ‘I'm going to send

you food from heaven like rain. Each day the people should go out & gather only what they need for that day. In this way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.’”

– Neh 9:15 “You gave them bread from heaven to satisfy their hunger and made water flow from a rock to quench their thirst. You told them to take possession of the land that you swore you would give them.”

– Ps 78:24-25 “He rained manna down on them to eat & gave them grain from heaven. Humans ate the bread of the mighty ones, & God sent them plenty of food.”

1. Moses• The Sign of Bread from Heaven [John 6:25-59] – Signifies … Jesus is the true Bread from Heaven

1. Moses• The Sign of The Healing of a Man Born Blind [John

9:1-41] – 9:16 “Some of the Pharisees said, ‘The man who did

this is not from God because he doesn't follow the traditions for the day of worship.’ Other Pharisees asked, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform miracles like these?’ So the Pharisees were divided in their opinions.” • Some didn’t recognise the signs because they

misunderstood his actions.

– Signifies … the true purpose of the Sabbath.

The Sabbath Day• De 5:12-15 – "Observe the Sabbath as a holy day. This

is what the LORD your God has commanded you. You have 6 days to do all your work. The 7th day is the Sabbath dedicated to the LORD your God. You, your sons, your daughters, your male & female slaves, your oxen, your donkeys--all of your animals--even the foreigners living in your city must never do any work on that day. In this way your male & female slaves can rest as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt & that the LORD your God used his mighty hand and powerful arm to bring you out of there. This is why the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath.

1. Moses• The Sign of Raising Lazarus from the Dead [John

11:1-48]– 11:47 “So the chief priests & the Pharisees called a

meeting of the council. They asked, ‘What are we doing? This man is performing a lot of miracles. If we let him continue what he's doing, everyone will believe in him. Then the Romans will take away our position & our nation.’” • The ultimate in compromise! Even though we know these

are signs that prove Jesus is from God, if we let God do his will, we will lose out on all that we have going for us here.

– Signifies …

1. Moses• The Sign of Being raised from the Dead Himself

[John 2:18-19]– 2:18,19 “The Jews reacted by asking Jesus, ‘What

miracle can you show us to justify what you're doing?’ Jesus replied, ‘Tear down this temple, & I'll rebuild it in 3 days.’”

– Signifies “… the replacement of … the old temple by the new in the risen Lord …” (Dodd).

1. Moses• The Sign of the New Birth [John 3:1-21]– 3:2 “He came to Jesus one night and said to him,

"Rabbi, we know that God has sent you as a teacher. No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him.”

– Signifies “… an exposition of new birth for new creation …” (Dodd).

1. MosesWhat John shows us, however, is that Jesus is not just like Moses; rather he is greater than Moses & thus worthy of greater respect.

2. Abraham• John 8:12-59• 31-33 So Jesus said to those Jews who believed

in him, "If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, & the truth will set you free.” They replied to Jesus, "We are Abraham's descendants, & we've never been anyone's slaves. So how can you say that we will be set free?"

• We are saved because of Abraham.

2. Abraham• Jesus uses a very significant phrase repeatedly

throughout John. In is significant to note that this phrase is exclusively used on the lips of Jesus in John. This phrase, however, is meaningless unless we understand Exodus 3:14, where God gives his name to Moses at the burning bush.

• Ex 3:14 – God answered Moses, "I Am Who I Am (YHWH). This is what you must say to the people of Israel: 'I Am (YHWH) has sent me to you.'"

2. Abraham• hwhy (HWHY / YHWH, Yahweh, Jehovah)• Egw eimi (ego eimi)

Verse I AM the … He who … Response

6:35,4148,51

bread of life “… comes to me will never be hungry, & he who believes in me will never be thirsty”“everyone who looks to the Son & believes in him shall have eternal life …”“a man may eat & never die.”“If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”

“The Jews began to grumble about him … ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father & mother we know?”“The Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”“This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it? … his disciples were grumbling about this … ‘does this offend you?’”“many of his disciples turned back & no longer followed him.”“‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe & know that you are the Holy One of God.’”

Verse I AM the … He who … Response

8:12 (9:5)

light of the world

“… follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

“The Pharisees challenged him, ‘Your testimony is not valid.’”

These two “light of the world” statements gird the whole discussion of Jesus’ authority that climax in his unreserved declaration to be “I AM.” That Jesus was understood to be claiming to be the YHWH of Ex 3:14 is evidenced by the fact the Jews immediately sought to stone him.

Verse I AM the … He who … Response

10:7,9 gate for the sheep

“… enters through me will be saved.”

“At these words the Jews were again divided.” [Is Jesus Demon-possessed or not?]

10:11, 14

good shepherd

“I know my sheep & my sheep know me.” “There will be one flock & one shepherd.”

“At these words the Jews were again divided.” [Is Jesus Demon-possessed or not?]

11:25 resurrection & the life

“… believes in my will live, even though he dies.”

“I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Verse I AM the … He who … Response

14:6 way, the truth, & the life

“No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“Lord, show us the Father & that will be enough for us.”

15:1,5 true vine “If a man remains in me & I in him, he will bear much fruit.”

[no response recorded]

Verse Statement Kausap Response4:26 “I who speak

to you am he.”

Woman at the well

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

6:20 “It is I; don’t be afraid”

Disciples in boat Then they were willing to take him into the boat [after having been too terrified before].

Verse Statement Kausap Response8:24 “If you do not

believe that I am …”

People; Pharisees; Jews;

“Who are you?”

8:28 “… then you will know that I am …”

People; Pharisees; Jews;

“Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.”

8:58 “before Abraham was, I am!”

the Jews who had believed him

“At this, they picked up stones to stone him …”

Verse Statement Kausap Response

13:19 “I am he.”This would be proven by the fact that Jesus knew he would be betrayed.

Disciples & Apostles

“Jesus was troubled in spirit.”

18:5,6 “I am he.”v6 is merely a quotation of v5 that lets us know the reaction of Judas & of the soldiers, priests, & Pharisees to

Jesus’ statement.

Judas, soldiers, priests, Pharisees

“… they drew back & fell to the ground.”

18:8 “I am he.” Judas, soldiers, priests, Pharisees

“Peter … struck the High priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.”“Then the detachment of soldiers … arrested Jesus.”

2. Abraham• Jews: We are saved because of Abraham.• Jesus: You are saved because of Me!

3. Father• “In John’s Gospel apostellein is used by Jesus

when his concern is to ground His authority in that of God as the One who is responsible for His words and works and who guarantees their right and truth. On the other hand, He uses the formula o pemqav me (pater) to affirm the participation of God in his work in the actio of his sending.”

4. Me

God

Saving people from Hell

Blessings of God from West to East

Expansion of the Church

World transformed into Kingdom of God

Missio Dei

God

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, & the Word was God. He was

already with God in the beginning. Everything came into existence through him. Not

one thing that exists was made without him. He was the source of life, & that life was the light

for humanity.The Word became human & lived among us.

"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." After he had said this, he breathed on the disciples & said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

“Our missionary activities are only authentic insofar as they reflect participation in the mission of God.”

“Sent” words in John

apostellw• The Commission• 27x in John• John 1:6,19,24; 3:17,28,34;

4:38; 5:33,36,38; 6:29,57; 7:29,32; 8:42; 9:7; 10:36; 11:3,42; 17:3,8,18,21,23,25; 18:24; 20:21

pempw• The Sending• 32x in John• John 5:37; 6:38-40,44;

7:16,18,28,33; 8:16,18,26,29; 9:4; 12:44,45,49; 13:16,20; 14:24,26; 15:21,26; 16:5,7; 20:21

Look at “Sent” words to see Jesus’ & our mission.

“Sent” words in John“In John’s Gospel apostellein is used by Jesus when his concern is to ground His authority in that of God as the One who is responsible for His words and works and who guarantees their right and truth. On the other hand, He uses the formula o pemqav me (pater) to affirm the participation of God in his work in the actio of his sending.”

The Johannine Great Commission• Jesus’ prayer … – “As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent

them into the world” (17:18). • … Jesus’ commission – “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (20:21).

• “Jesus … made his mission the model of ours, saying ‘as the Father sent me, so I send you.’ Therefore our understanding of the church’s mission must be deduced from our understanding of the Son’s.”

• John R.W. Stott, Christian Mission in the Modern World (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1975), 23.

John 14:12 "I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in

me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the

Father.