Do you have a favorite among the four gospels? According to Google, the Gospel of John is ranked the most popular Gospel for average churchgoers and the early church leaders. I’ll share why the Gospel of Jesus’ beloved disciple is special to me.
When I was eleven or twelve, I started reading a paperback book called Good News New Testament. I remember skipping over most of the names at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. I thought the Gospel of Mark was just a shorter version of Matthew. As I read the Gospel of Luke, I said to myself, “Didn’t I read this before?” I considered skipping the next Gospel but I’m glad I didn’t.
The Gospel of John didn’t start out with a list of names or even with the birth of Jesus. It started at the beginning just like the very first book of the Bible. The very first chapter of this Gospel was confusing but intriguing at the same time. I must have reread it several times to make sure who it was talking about. Maybe because I had read the first three Gospels already, this last one really solidified that Jesus is truly God in the flesh.
The second chapter mentioned Jesus’ first miraculous sign of turning water into wine. He did this at a wedding celebration and provided 120-180 gallons of good wine. Who said Jesus didn’t know how to party? He cared enough for the newlyweds not to let them be embarrassed by not having enough wine for their celebration.
We are introduced to a high-status Jewish leader named Nicodemus in the third chapter. He had a conversation with Jesus at night, and Jesus told him things that he should have known as a great teacher in Israel. If a well-educated leader had questions about faith, then it’s okay for us to have questions, too. This is where we get the famous verse about God sending His one and only Son because He loved us so much.
Even the disciples didn’t understand some of what Jesus was saying. The apostle John pointed out that when Jesus talked about raising the temple in three days, they didn’t know He was talking about His body. John noted that Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand things when they first happened but only after His resurrection.
In the fourth chapter, we are introduced to another person not mentioned in the first three Gospels. Jesus has a conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. During Jesus’ days, it was not appropriate for a Jewish man to talk alone with a woman, especially a Samaritan, but Jesus was a social barrier breaker. Jesus even told this woman who He really was, and then she left her water jar to tell the townspeople. Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of her testimony. This sounds like she was the first recorded evangelist in the New Testament.
I learned later, while in college, that during the time of Jesus, the Jews didn’t travel through Samaria. They would take the longer route and go around the area so that they would avoid the Samaritans. There was bad history between the two groups, but Jesus had to go through Samaria. So, it wasn’t a coincidence that Jesus had a conversation with the Samaritan woman.
Another event not mentioned in the other Gospels is the resurrection of Lazarus. It is written that Jesus loved Lazarus and his two sisters, but He decided to wait two days before going to them. The sisters truly believed Jesus would have kept their brother from dying if He had been there. Jesus was moved by the weeping of the sisters and the people with them that He wept, too. Here was God showing His emotion again. The first time was when He turned over tables and drove out merchants at the temple.
We get a great example of Jesus’ humility and willingness to serve others when He washed the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. This was a great teaching moment for His disciples and for us, too.
The apostle John added the extra detail of Jesus coming back to the disciples in order to show doubting Thomas the holes in His hands and let him put Thomas’ hand into His side. This showed that Jesus heard what was said even though He wasn’t physically there, and He cared enough to come show Himself to Thomas who missed the first time Jesus appeared.
I’m glad that the apostle John included Jesus’ teaching of being the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. It just made me want to be a part of His flock because He wanted to protect us and to give us the best. Jesus laid down His life for us and knows us by name. He came down from Heaven to give us abundant life.
Another teaching of Jesus that is only in the book of John is that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We can not bear fruit if we are not connected to Jesus, who gives us strength and life. Through Jesus anything is possible.
After reading the Fourth Gospel, my middle school self felt an overwhelming sense of love and got on her knees to pray, thanking God for sending Jesus down to us and telling Him that she didn’t deserve His love and wanted to be just like Jesus. I remember experiencing such a peace that was difficult to describe, and for that moment in my bedroom, it seemed I could do anything because I was a beloved child of God.
If you haven’t read the Gospel of John, I highly recommend that you do. If you have, I suggest you reread it again but this time, imagine listening in on the conversations with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, imagine hearing the cries of Mary and the other people mourning over Lazarus, and imagine being there when Jesus showed Thomas His wounds. After reading this Gospel, I hope that just like the apostle John, you could say that you are a disciple whom Jesus loves. I did.
Prayer
Almighty God in heaven,
Thank You so much for the stories of Jesus, especially the ones in the Gospel of John. Help us to see You through Jesus’ actions and words. May others see You through our actions and words.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Verses
Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus clears the temple
Mark 11:15-17 Jesus cleanses the temple
Luke 19:45-46 Jesus at the temple
John 3:16 This is how much God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life
John 12:16 At first His disciples didn’t understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize
John 4:4 But Jesus had to pass through Samaria
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Song
“The Well” by Casting Crowns is a song inspired by the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. If you would like to listen to the book of John in song, then go to Tommy Walkers Ministries.
Call To Action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then read the Gospel of John and let me know if it’s not your favorite.