“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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….This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that His testimony is true.” John 20:30-31 and 21:24
St. John tells us why he wrote his Gospel: “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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” Why does he write? So you may have life! When we believe that Jesus is the Christ, God gives us life—abundant life, forgiven life, and eternal life.
Historically, the Fourth Gospel is likened to an eagle—an image that suggests John soars to heights of glory and grandeur. Why is that? It is because the evangelist paints a stunning portrait of Jesus, Who is the Bread of Life, the Resurrection and the Life, and the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Life in Jesus. That’s God’s gift to you, and for you!
This Lent, our life in Christ will be strengthened as we hear the witness of those in John’s Gospel who journeyed to the cross. Along the way, we’ll meet villains, such as Barabbas and Pontius Pilate, as well as sinners, such as Peter (who denied Jesus three times), Mary Magdalene (who was possessed by seven demons), and Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver).
I encourage you to join us on Wednesdays this Lenten season, either in person or virtually, as we hear the witness of these people in John’s Gospel:
Ash Wednesday (3/2): John the Baptist, John 1:29–34
Midweek of Lent 1 (3/9): Mary, the Sister of Lazarus and Martha, John 12:1–11
Midweek of Lent 2 (3/16): Malchus, John 18:1–11
Midweek of Lent 3 (3/23): Peter, John 18:12–27
Midweek of Lent 4 (3/30): Barabbas, John 18:33–40
Midweek of Lent 5 (4/6): Pontius Pilate, John 19:1–16
Maundy (Holy) Thursday (4/14): Judas Iscariot, John 13:21–30
Good Friday (4/15): The Seven Words of Jesus
The Resurrection of Our Lord (4/17): Mary Magdalene, John 20:1–18
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nick Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XXIII, Number 8, March 2022)