John

The Gospel of John was believed to be written by the “beloved apostle” John at around AD 70-100 in Ephesus. The purpose of writing this book is “to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.” (1:7) He wanted people to believe Jesus is the anticipated and promised Messiah, Son of God. By narrating Jesus’ miracles and teaching, John wanted 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 are five themes in the Gospel of John.

Jesus is God: Jesus is the true “I AM”, who was there before the world ever existed and He has supernatural power. He is the Son of God who was also a reflection of God Himself and the long-awaited Messiah.
Trinitarian God - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit together reveal God Himself and His salvation plan.
Jesus is the centre of God’s redemption plan - God reigns over human salvation plan and Jesus’ death is the key in the whole salvation. Human is saved by believing Jesus as the Son of God.
Jesus gave us eternal life.
Jesus called His disciples to continue His work on earth.
The book can be divided into two parts - Jesus’ identity and the Kingdom’s salvation plan.

Part One is from Chapter 2-10. John recorded miracles of Jesus and the conflict caused by the miracles. It climaxes at chapter 12 where Jesus revived Lazarus from the dead. This miracle led to huge upheaval among the Jewish leaders and their proposal of killing Jesus. This part of the book ended at Jesus sacrificing His life for the people He loves.

Part Two is from Chapter 13 to the end. Chapter 13-17 is Jesus’ last evening with His disciples and His final teaching before His crucifixion. Chapter 18-20 is a detail narration of Jesus’ passion and resurrection.

Part One: Jesus’ identity

At Chapter 1, John explained Jesus as God’s Word incarnated. Words, in their culture, usually referred to the essence of a person and one’s will and thought. Therefore, John was trying to show that Jesus is God Himself, incarnated in human image, showing God’s physical presence among human beings.

Through different people, John showed seven identities of Jesus in the first chapter of the book: Lamb of God, Son of God, Rabbi, Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, King of Israel, Son of Man. It gives the reader a glimpse of what the book is about. At the same time, it clearly shows who Jesus is: from Nazareth, fully human, fully God, the Messiah, King of Israel and teacher, Son of God. It is through His death, the sin of the world finally lost its authority.

From Chapter 2 to 12, by recording Jesus’ miracles and His acts in different Jewish festivals, John depicted Jesus’ true identity. The reader can see that every time Jesus performed a miracle or healing, it always caused misunderstanding and conflict, even making some people angry. However, it was also an opportunity for people to choose whether to believe in Jesus’ identity or reject Him.

Part Two: The Kingdom’s salvation
Chapter 13-17 are Jesus’ final words to His disciples.

At Chapter 13, Jesus performed an amazing act - washing the disciples' feet. This acts revealed Jesus’ mission - to love people with a sacrificing love. It showed that Jesus came to this world not to fight for anything for Himself, but to become a servant and serve, and ultimately died on the cross for our sins. That was the moment when Jesus asked His disciples to carry on His mission. The act of love and generosity, from now on, had become the mark of the Christians.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (13:34)

Chapter 14 - 17 are Jesus’ final teaching and His prayer for the disciples. He explained that He would send the Holy Spirit who will be with them and continue Jesus’ role to give them guidance. 

In Jesus’ final prayer for the disciples, Jesus revealed the trinitarian relationship between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The loving relationship between the Father and the Son, because of Jesus, is extended to the disciples. The role of the Holy Spirit is to empower the disciples to continue Jesus’ mission on earth. It is a difficult mission, but Jesus has promised that He has overcome the world.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (16:33)

However, at Chapter 18 to 20, Jesus showed a very different kind of victory: a real and ultimate victory. 

When the soldiers came for Jesus, they asked who was Jesus. Jesus replied, “I AM.” It was a very profound reply. It was the same way that Yahweh revealed Himself to Moses in Exodus, by telling His name as “I AM”. Jesus , revealed His ultimate identity as God Himself. 

In the Gospel, John introduced seven “I AM” statements to reveal the identity of Jesus (6:35; 8:12; 10:9; 10:11; 11:25-26; 14:6; 15:5). This was the last “I AM” statement that Jesus declared to prove that He is God. However it was the same moment when Jesus prepared to sacrifice His life. 

There is another set of “7” in the Gospel of John: the seven miracles of Jesus. Before this moment, there were six miracles all pointing to the seventh one - Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection ultimately proved Him as the Son of God, who through love defeated death. 

Jesus showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection and as promised sent the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (20:21-22)

Jesus’ conversation with the disciples also showed to the reader that, for disciples to carry out the mission of Jesus effectively, they need to be willing to listen and obey His words.

Day	Overview Reading Plan
1	John 1	Psalm 51:10-19
2	John 2-3	Psalm 52:1-9
3	John 4	Psalm 53:1-6
4	John 5	Psalm 54:1-7
5	John 6	Psalm 55:1-11
6	John 7	Psalm 55:12-23
7	John 8	Psalm 56:1-7
8	John 9	Psalm 56:8-13
9	John 10	Psalm 57:1-11
10	John 11	Psalm 58:1-11
11	John 12	Psalm 59:1-9
12	John 13	Psalm 59:10-17
13	John 14-15	Psalm 60:1-12
14	John 16-17	Psalm 61:1-8
15	John 18	Psalm 62:1-12
16	John 19	Psalm 63:1-11
17	John 20-21	Psalm 64:1-10