October 27, 2014
John 3-5
As you read through John, remember that he is not worried about chronology. Rather, he is piling up testimony after testimony to the truth of Who Jesus is! You can see this if you begin today’s reading at the end. Read John 5:30-47 for a picture of what John is doing. Some of the “witnesses to Jesus” include: Jesus own words, John the Baptist’s words, Jesus’ “works” (which could include his teaching, his miracles and his loving acts!), the Father’s words, and, finally, the words of the Scriptures (especially those of Moses).
Now, as you return to John 3, we read Jesus’ words of witness to Nicodemus concerning himself, including a reference to the bronze snake God told Moses to put on a stick for those who had been poisoned to look to for healing. Jesus is saying that Moses’ healing snake is a picture of himself!
Then John the gospel writer records more words from John the Baptist concerning Jesus. “He [Jesus] must increase!”
In John 4 we hear Jesus’ incredible self-revelation to the Samaritan woman at the well. When she says, “I know that Messiah is coming...”, Jesus says, “I who speak to you am he.” She, in turn, tells the whole town!
At the end of John 4, we read of a “second sign,” the healing of an official’s son. Even Jesus’ works bear witness to who he is!
John 5 begins with yet another sign, the healing of a man who had been an invalid for 38 years.
Then, in John 5:19-29, Jesus says more about himself: “The Son gives life to whom he wills!”
This brings us back to the end of John 5, where Jesus lists out all the witnesses concerning Who He is!
Your fellow pilgrim through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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