Self Improvement > Spirituality > The Gospel of John: Is it More Than Just a Gospel to the World?
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Anthony Mullins
When I read this post, I almost immediately began thinking about the authorship of the Gospel of John and the audience of Jesus Christ.
In the "Gospel of John" at Wikipedia,org, it states that "John likely himself was a Jewish man and was speaking to a largely Jewish community." This reminded me a question I was once asked, "Are you a Christian that happens to be a personal coach or a coach that happens to be a Christian." This was a unique question for me and I think one that fits here as well. Was John a fisherman that happened to be Jewish or was he a Jewish man who happened to be a fisherman? At ChristianAnswers.net, it speaks of John's education and upbringing, "He doubtlessly received the same Hebrew education as did other Jewish youths." Just as I am a Christian first, I believe he was Jewish first. This being said I think his upbringing and fundamental beliefs would appeal to the Jewish community.
What about the audience? While the Gospel of Matthew was written directly to the Jewish people, John was written to a broader audience, however, Jesus begins His ministry with the His (Jewish) people and grows it for the world. Is it possible that if the Jewish authority had accepted Him that the Book of John might show a different view?
Next, The ministry of Jesus in John as progressive. To understand this point, one must look at the ministry and audience of Jesus to see why the Gospel of John would appeal to a variety of different people, Christian and Jewish alike.
His ministry began with His own people, the Jewish people, and branched out. His progressive and expansive ministry began in Jerusalem, possibly the most Jewish city in the world. Jesus Christ offered His love and He offered faith first to the Jewish people.
Jesus valued and honored Jewish traditions by attending the customary feasts, festivals and celebrations. He supported the Law as He designed it, although not as the Jewish authority had defined it. Jesus taught in the synagogues where His people would be found. Just as in the Old Testament, even before the Gospel of John, the Jewish people were the focus. Again showing His faithfulness, Jesus sought the Jewish people, His people, first. I believe that this is a powerful message to those of the Jewish faith and one of the reasons that this book could be very popular amongst the Jewish.
Finally, His ministry was not only progressive, but expansive. Jesus began ministering and baptizing near Jerusalem and eventually left as they rejected Him. We must not forget that while it is true that "the Jewish authority" were threatened by Jesus and chose not to follow Him, countless numbers of Jewish people chose to follow Him.
Next, He moved to Capernaum only to continue to be charged by the Jewish authority. As we see in John, Christ then went to Samaria to the outcasts. He offered salvation to them, if they would believe. Finally, through His teachings, His crucifixion and resurrection He offered His love to the world.
"For God so loved the WORLD that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believe in me shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
When I read the Gospel of John it is apparent that the Deity and love of Jesus Christ is not confined to one group of people. He offered it to anyone that might listen, hear and believe. From Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman and utlimately to the world, Jesus Christ was here to preach the Good News and to gather His sheep. While Jesus began with one, He came to save many. The Gospel of John offers the gift of salvation through a belief in Jesus Christ. While the Gospel tells of different types of people and beliefs, His message is clear to everyone; come out of the darkness and live in the light!
Copyright Anthony Mullins
Elite Coaching Alliance 2005
Anthony Mullins is the President and Life Coach for The Elite Coaching Alliance. He specializes in personal, leadership, marriage, relationship and family, christian based coaching. He is the author of the upcoming e-book "A Chronical of the Miracles in the Gospel of John." He can be reached by e-mail: anthony@elitecoachingalliance.com or by phone at 770.344.7975. Visit our website http://www.elitecoachingalliance.com
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