1 February 2002

Dear Brethren,

"AND TRULY JESUS DID MANY SIGNS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK…" John 20:30
Long tradition in Church history declared and affirmed that the Apostle John was the author of the Gospel that bore his name. There is no reason to believe otherwise.

John wrote with a great sense of purpose. He chose the theme "signs" as a major focus of his writing. He wrote from the standpoint of a disciple who had witnessed the many sign-miracles that Jesus performed!

However, John did much more than just record the miracles that Jesus performed. There were too many to list. Instead, John sought to interpret the significance of Jesus' sign-miracles!

"BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD…" John 20:31
John wrote with a strong theological inclination. He had personally come to full faith in Jesus. He had followed Him as one of the original disciples. For three long years he had been in the company of his Teacher. He wrote with deep conviction that Jesus was indeed, "The Christ, the Son of God".

From experience, John also knew that not everybody had that same conviction of faith. Many had to struggle with reference to having faith in their life. He himself had found great meaning and joy in his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He could not help but desire to help people see Jesus as he saw Him- the Anointed One, the very Son of God Himself!

"AND THAT BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME." John 20:31
How precious life was! But how fragile life was too! John had seen how many people had come to Jesus broken, wearied and in despair. However, each person, whether physically sick or demon-possessed had gone away healed and made whole completely.

More than that, John had witnessed how people found LIFE ETERNAL through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That was by far the most wonderful thing to behold. This goal, of reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, became John's ardent quest.

John thus took pen and paper and began to write his Gospel. Throughout his Gospel he was careful to emphasize how a person may believe in Jesus as the Christ, and through genuine faith find life eternal.

"BUT WE SEE JESUS…"
You are invited to study the Life of Jesus, from the viewpoint of one of His closest disciples. John discovered much about Jesus that helped him to become convinced that He was indeed the Christ, the Son of God! These devotionals are written that you too may see Jesus as the Christ, and that through faith in Him, you may have life eternal.

Prayerfully

Pastor Charlie

First released 1 February 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore