The Unique Gospel of John - Essay Example

The unique Gospel of John Introduction The words “I am” have been used in the bible severally to signify something important about either God or Jesus. In the Old Testament, Moses sees a burning bush. When he approaches, God asks him to go and set free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Moses decided to ask who was speaking to him and a voice (God) replied him saying “I am Who I Am” (Exodus 3). These words are again heard during the Passover when God tell the Israelites that “I am your God” (Exodus 12). In his Gospels, John has used these words to bring out various themes about God and Jesus. John, in the Gospels, brings out things that take the readers out of the present time to the past. From the beginning, he starts by acknowledging creation and God’s presence. Prologue is what is revealed throughout John’s narrations in the Gospel. John uses it to reveal to readers that the savior of mankind was truly Jesus. It also shows how John acknowledges the beginning of the world (creation) and the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth. The phrase “I Am” focuses us on Jesus as a representation of God; as John says that whoever believes in him believes in God. In this particular text, the phrase “I am” will be analyzed according to the Gospel of John(Knowles, 2006, p.37). John 1:18-34 This focuses on John the Baptist. As he was busy teaching people and asking them to repent their sins so that he could baptize them, he at once instance used the words “I am not the Messiah”. John was responding to the questions people were asking regarding his powers and his identity. People had asked John if he was the long awaited messiah and this was his response to the people (John 1:20). This might sound like an ordinary phrase but an in-depth analysis will reveal more. The word “not” comes between the phrase “I am” bringing a contrast to (I am) what will later be used by Jesus in many occasion. John the Baptist has used these words to show that he is not Jesus’ equal or rival. He significantly places “not” in the phrase “I am” to show that he is only paving way for Christ. He denies being a messiah or prophet but just a forerunner of the messiah. John 4:6-38 This is the meeting between Jesus and Samaria woman at the well. Jesus was coming from Judea of Pharisees. According to John`s gospel, Jesus had to go through Samaria. John uses the word “had to” to show that it was necessary for Jesus pass through Samaria. There were many ways to Jesus’ destination but he purposely chose Samaria because he felt a need to accomplish something in Samaria. As he goes through Samaria, Jesus encounters a woman at the well and he is forced to ask for water from the woman. Traditionally, Samarians and Jews were not allowed to share. Jesus is about to break this tradition by sharing with the enemy. In his conversation, he reveals to the woman saying “I the one speaking to you, I am he” (john 4:26). These words have been used to show the woman that Jesus was the long awaited messiah. Just like the words are used in the Old Testament to refer to God, Jesus uses the phrase to reveal his identity to the woman. According to John, Jesus’ going through Samaria was more than just a way to his destination. He wanted to reveal to the Samarians who he was. He also wanted to write off the beliefs held by both Jews and Samarians regarding sharing and worship. John uses the words “I am he” to reveal Jesus’ identity to the woman helps the Samarian woman identify Jesus, and later goes to call her fellow Samarians to come and witness Jesus. John 6:14-21 This is the story where Jesus fed 5000 people with two fish and 5 loaves of bread. Upon seeing this miraculous act, people began to put pressure on Jesus as their new prophet and king. He was not ready to bow to tradition. John writes that the disciples were also amazed at what Jesus could do. Jesus retreated to the mountains to avoid being crowned as the king by the crowd he had fed. It was late in the evening and the disciples were getting impatient waiting for Jesus so that they could leave. After impatiently waiting, they leave as it was becoming too late for them to sail. The sea got rough and their ship began to sway. This is the instance that they spot Jesus walking on water. The disciples are afraid. Jesus tells them “I am, do not be afraid” (John 6:19). Jesus calms the sea and they get back to sailing smoothly. John uses this phrase to bring out two things about Jesus: he is their friend and thus they should not be worried. It also brings out the Godly character of Jesus and his powers over nature. It is only God that could take control over nature. Referring to Moses’ story of the burning bush, God addressed Moses using the words “I am” and showed Moses how powerful he was. Jesus has also used these words to symbolize the powers the Godly possessedbecause he was the Son of God. John 18:1-6 This is a verse where Judas brought two solders to Jesus. When the solders confronted Jesus and asked if he was the Jesus of Nazareth, he stepped forward and answered “I am he”. Upon hearing these words, the solders stepped back and bow to Jesus as a sign of honor. From this verse, Jesus replies using this phrase “I am” to show that he was the Jesus the soldiers were looking for and that he is the God. The second meaning of the phrase “I am he” used by Jesus is the one of interest. Up mentioning this, the solders move back and bow. This is because they recognized that they were in the presence of God and the place they were stepping on was holly. In the Old Testament, Moses removed his shoes on realizing that the ground on which he was stepping was holy. This is the same response observed with the soldiers. For them it was too late to remove shoes but they acknowledged God’s presence through Jesus and honored it. Jesus also exercises leadership through this text. When he steps forward to claim his identity, it is like he said “I am Jesus, so let these other men go”. This reveals the protecting and loving nature of Jesus. It also shows that Just like God, Jesus loved his followers and could not let them fall into trouble. Jesus also shows his disciples the kind of care that they should show each other. John 8:31-59 This is considered the climax of the use of this phrase “I am”. In these verses of John’s gospel, Jesus says “Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:59). This verse explains a lot about Jesus but most importantly, His nature of eternal existence. Through this verse, John successfully demonstrates that Jesus was in existence during creation and has existed all along the Old Testament. Jesus also associates with God through this verse. “I am” is a phrase used by God himself in the Old Testament, and when Jesus uses it here, it shows that he has been existing alongside God ever since and has heard God use the phrase. John 10:11-18 In this text, Jesus calls himself a good shepherd. In the Old Testament, god people are the sheep and God is their shepherd. This is portrayed in Psalms 23:1 and in Ezekiel 34:15. The bible also regards good leaders like David as Shepherds of God’s people. Portraying God as a shepherd reveals that he looks for his sheep, guides his flocks and offers them protection. Also, God has power to choose shepherds for his sheep. Now that Jesus is also calling himself a good shepherd, he is using God’s language in the Old Testament. This shows his commitment to secure his flock. Jesus compares himself with a hired shepherd who runs away upon seeing a wolf approaching the sheep. As a good shepherd, he was ready to give up His life just to protect His sheep. This is later seen when Jesus gives his life to save mankind (Pawson, 2003, p.58). John 15:1-17 Jesus calls himself the true vine using the phrase “I am”. This is an important verse according to john that portrays the theme of love. This comes in the middle of a farewell conversation between Jesus and his disciples. In this “I am” saying Jesus uses a metaphor to refer to himself. In the Old Testament, a vine or vineyard is used to refer to God’s chosen people. John uses this phrase to demonstrate that just like a vine, people ought to be fruitful in their endeavors with God. It also brings out the importance of God’s chosen community. It also sounds a warning to unproductive vines and also acts as a promise to the chosen people. This text also shows continuity in the chosen community from the Old Testament to the New Testament (Moody, 2005, p. 28) Conclusion John has successfully used the “I am” phrase to portray various things about Jesus. It is through these texts that we understand the true connection between Jesus and God. The texts have also helped to create a connection between the teachings in the Old Testament and the New Testament. References Knowles, A., (2006), The Bible Guide. Oxford: Lion Hudson Kysar, R., (1993), John The Maverick Gospel. London: John Knox Press Lindars, B., (2001), John. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press Ltd Moody Smith, D., (2005), The Theology of the Gospel of John. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Pawson, D., (2003), Unlocking the Bible omnibus, London: HarperCollins Wright, N. T., (2004), The New Testament and the People of God, London: S.P.C.K. Wright, N. T., (2000), The challenge of Jesus, London: S.P.C.K. Wright, N. T.& Borg, M., (1999), The Meaning of Jesus, London: S.P.C.K. Read More