The Gospel according to John
The gospel of John is likely the last gospel account to be written. Penned by the apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, it expands on three distinct points: the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, and salvation.
John’s opening verse introduces the Logos and its relationship with the divine (1:1). The concept of the logos reaches back to Ancient Greek philosophy, where it describes a kind of ’universal divine reason’, or simply put, the mind of God. In contrast to Ancient Greek philosophy’s understanding of the Logos - it being perceived more-so as an abstract idea, John argues that the logos possesses personality. Moreover, in the opening section (1:1-18), John claims that the logos takes on flesh and dwelt alongside man. This idea is revolutionary, which in part explains the intense backlash Jesus experiences for attributing divinity to himself during his earthly ministry. Perhaps Jesus’ most notable claim to divinity is found in his discourse with the Jews (who believed him!) when he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (8:58). In this statement, Jesus asserts his eternality, which is an attribute only God possesses. Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus declares himself to be equal with God (5:18), sent by God (7:28-29), given authority to judge (5:22), doing the works of God (10:38) and having life in himself (5:26). Moreover, Jesus’ teachings are validated by miracles: the claim to equality with God and having authority to judge is validated by the healing at the pool (5:1-17); the claim to being sent by God is validated by the feeding of the 5000 (6:1-15); the claim to performing the very works of God is validated by the healing of the man born blind (ch.9) . Even more, the famous seven ‘I am’ statements are also authenticated by signs, which further bolsters Jesus’ teachings. In short, Jesus certainly believes himself to be divine and substantiates his radical claims through miracles.
Another revolutionary idea John introduces in his gospel is the Trinity. Jesus establishes the Son and Father relation within the Trinity in various places throughout the gospel account. For instance, in a discourse with the disciples, Jesus speaks of his closeness with the Father. Namely, that those who have seen him have seen the Father (14:9); that the Father does his works through Jesus Christ (14:10); and that he is in the Father and the Father is in him (14:11). Also, during the Feast of Dedication, Jesus proclaims himself to be one with the Father (10:30). In the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine” (17:10) - indicating that the Father and Son share ownership of the elect. As it is, the degree of intimacy between the Son and the Father suggest an identical essence. In the case of the Holy Spirit, John describes Him to perform works only God can do. These include: giving life (3:6,8); proclaiming the future (16:13); and indwelling believers (14:17). John tightly weaves together the works of the three Persons of the Trinity such that they are inseparable; this is chiefly evident in the gift of salvation.
John is ultimately concerned with converting his readers - “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31). There is a sharp contrast between darkness and light throughout the book - light denoting salvation and fellowship with God while darkness denoting death and separation from God (1:5; 3:19). Additionally, Moses and Christ are contrasted - Moses the giver of the law and Christ the usher of grace and truth (1:17). Those who believe in Jesus may have life in his name. The dispensation of the gifts of salvation can only come through the sufferings of Christ. Jesus lives the perfect life to satisfy the righteous requirements of the law (Rom. 8:3-4) and dies to make atonement for our sins (Gal. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus, the God-man, takes on flesh (1:14) and proclaims the gospel to the helpless. What an amazing thought; the Creator of the Universe, being pleased to go to such great lengths to save sinners! “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).
In short, the gospel according to John is an account of the life, ministry and death of the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. It focuses on the divinity of Christ and expresses the awesome work of redemption by the Triune God. Salvation is only found in the God-man. This is most pertinently communicated by the Second Person of the Trinity Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).