My friend, Karen Murano’s insightful writing continues…

John connects the person of Jesus in the flesh (1:14) and the nature of his divine (8:58) and unified (10:30) relationship to God the Father as the eternal Son, framing a unified story with the theme of intimate oneness. This theme is presented over and over, like a thread connecting a literary garment. His goal seems to have a multi-faceted connection in mind. In careful imagery, he connects the person of Christ to God the Father as one (10:30).

Jesus reveals this truth even though they almost stoned him on the spot. What’s so amazing is that Jesus repeatedly offers divine unity to his disciples and to many people he encountered as they went from town to town (sadly, many rejected Him).

To add another facet to this story of intimacy, John’s desire is to unite the reader to the person of Christ as the Messiah (spoiler alert, it is the purpose of his testimony). He could not have known just how far and wide his testimony would travel, not to mention for two millennia. The portrait John paints of Jesus is as the Messiah, the incarnation of the Son of God, the resurrection and the life who has always been, and who proclaims He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (14:6). His testimony is given for the reader to “find life in his name” 20:21. The opening lines are radical and wonderful, and they boldly articulate an intimate relationship between the Word and God as Father.

By His Word, all things were created, and that He is the Light that has always been. John makes it clear that there is an eternal unity and intimacy between the Father and the Son, a most beautiful expression of abiding love which comes to life as we follow this gospel account.

To encourage his disciples, Jesus used a parable to reveal he is the vine and [we] are the branches, repeating his passionate plea to abide in him. This image of intimate trust and interconnectedness was designed to compel the hearer to desire this unique closeness more than anything. The most captivating line summarizes: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” 15:9 (emphasis mine). What a radical offer! Indeed, unity is not just about the loving community of the god-head but it’s for us, the beloved children of God. John’s testimony is that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the incarnation of the One who was prophesied about, and the revelation of God the Father who gave his Son to be a living hope, hope available to all who believe that He is risen!

His narrative is bold and often shares controversial statements Jesus made about who he is, claiming “I am” in the most provocative ways. Every Jew knew the story of Moses at the burning bush where God identifies himself as such (Ex3:6). It must be made clear, John is a human author of this gospel, compelled to set his pen to paper decades after his time with Jesus, but as an eyewitness and disciple who wanted to share the Good News he also knew this message belonged to Jesus. In writing his account, he honored the Spirit-inspired and transcendent words, refusing to exclude any offensive parts, and courageously heralding the life-giving message of hope for an unnamed audience to one-day hear and embrace.

I admire the trust and passion he had to testify about his experiences and share his account of the [very] Good News no matter the personal cost. The way I read his gospel account is in appreciation of his faithful and deep abiding, of being known and held by his Lord, and fully committed to testifying about this wonderful intimacy so that others can discover and receive Him. Jesus implored his hearers to abide in him (15:4), and his divine ability to embrace each and every one (then and now) never runs out.

Like a tapestry, John seamlessly weaves a pattern of Jesus’ supernatural compassion, his demonstrations of divine power in miraculous signs, and many powerful encounters with people as He reveals His divine Sonship. John’s sympathetic flow of the undeniable signs invites the heart of the reader to open up and consider following this true Light, embracing the Messiah just as he did. John knits into the narrative profound examples of Jesus revealing his identity in practical ways with parables, as a softer but still direct declaration of God’s truth and grace. This pattern shows incredible care and concern for the reader to respond in hope, and to be transformed by a divine encounter with a living Jesus.

John reinforces Jesus’ teaching about being the Door and the Shepherd in 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep””. It cannot be overstated that John writes from a perspective of knownness, and with an intimate friendship with Jesus 15:5, often describing himself as the one Jesus loved. Not that Jesus loved only him, but because John received it so completely it was his chosen form of identity (more on that later).

Jesus seemed to like pushing comfort zones and being uncomfortably close, he frequently went against the cultural norms: meeting with Nicodemus in private at night, speaking alone with a Samaritan woman, spitting on clay to heal a blind man, and after he fed a multitude of people he explained (seven different ways) that he is the living bread they must eat, ch 6:51-58. Now that’s close! John tells of a woman who was rescued at a compassionate show-down and set free from her shame. Personal encounters and transformations harmoniously criss-cross his stories as he builds up to the death and resurrection of Jesus’ dear friend, Lazarus; making sure to include the two devoted sisters. Martha, who truly yearns to grasp Jesus’ identity, and Mary who beautifully fulfills the prophetic nature of his name [Messiah] by anointing him with oil (soon after). They have especially close encounters with Jesus, and John includes how Jesus loved them (again, he didn’t consume this message for himself). Just before raising Lazarus, it was to Martha first that Jesus reveals he is the resurrection and the life, and she restates His identity with uncommon clarity, responding in belief when she is pressed (11:24-37). Not keeping this experience to herself, she runs for her sister.

Oh that every believer would be so bold, so quick to testify, so urgent in their sharing of Truth, but an unfortunate reality in churches today is of isolation and fear of looking weird. Many are afraid to show their faith and become consumers rather than freely sharing their zeal. We see that Mary responds by running to Jesus, kneeling at his feet. In her painful sorrow she is vulnerable and cries out for help. John shares Jesus’ tender response with something not exactly manly, His tears. Indeed, Jesus was repeatedly touched by the pain of others, expressing compassion and healing their infirmities for three years.

Chapter after chapter John wraps a thread of closeness and intimate encounters around declarations of Jesus as the Son of God. It’s hard to find a stopping point in this exercise. Throughout my study and recounting of John’s gospel, it’s as though the words will never stop flowing because there is so much to emphasize. Truly, the Word is alive, and just as John surmised – so much more could be written!