The Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation, I, II & III John; and the Gospel of John. His penchant toward revelation began as one of Jesus’ disciples. His Gospel takes my breath away! I’m surprised every time I read it. Why? Because there’s always more.
For John it began along the Jordan waters where John the Baptizer was baptizing. The future apostle and his buddies seem to hang out there in the early days. Then came the day, when John the Baptist loudly declared to all within shouting distance: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”! John’s prep time for the coming of the Kingdom seemed short but he had caught the attention of the poor and rich, Jew and Gentile, and even a few Romans.
The parade to the wilderness to see the sight of a radical man clothed in camel’s hair and shouting as if his life depended on it, seemed the latest in a long line of fanatics. But few in scriptures took their calling as seriously as John. Beyond his weirdness was his unique anointing. For a season of time John ordered people to prepare the way of the Lord. Make His path straight! Crowds gathered daily and the faithful came often. John, future disciple, and friends hung out with John. They were drawn by the anointing of the baptizer’s every word.
That day, when the baptizer pointed to an unknown local from Nazareth and declared to the waiting world: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. John, the future disciple, took off after the Lamb! Knowing the knee-jerk reactions of the early disciples, Jesus probably heard John coming up behind Him. He may have turned to John with a giddy look and popped the question: “What do you want?” John’s quick reply: “Where do you live?” Jesus’ response: “Come and see!” John never looked back. His spiritual hunger never ceased. Treasures in his passionate revelations and Gospel are ours to explore. So, let’s begin.
First, please read John, chapter one, and join me for next time’s Now Matters Devotional.
John’s Gospel is layered with revelation knowledge. Usually, we read John straight through, but doing so misses the point.
It occurs to me that the richness of John’s wisdom and revelation about the Holy Spirit, in chapters 14-16 should engage us in chapter one. His revelation that Jesus is the Word of God came to him perhaps years before. The teaching on the Holy Spirit in the later chapters was with him when he wrote the first ones. Revelation is front and center throughout his Gospel.
Thus, our starting place is not a place but an idea:
John’s Gospel should be read in layers! For example, knowing what he writes about in chapters 14-16 must be included in reading chapter one. Why? Because the Holy Spirit was involved from “In the beginning” forward! You might want to read the whole thing to a friend and get their opinion. But do come back. Why? Why not?
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