Daily Devotions
John
John 20:19-31 "THE THEOLOGY OF "THE WORD"
Day 354 – John 20
THE THEOLOGY OF “THE WORD”
John chose a very unique way to commence the writing of his Gospel. His opening words were,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1
Jesus was introduced as The Word of God! What a fascinating theological phrase this was to use in the writing of his Gospel. What was John trying to convey in this statement?
He went on to write an even more absorbing statement.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
John’s Christology had a fascinating aspect! He introduced Jesus as the One who perfectly expounded the Doctrine of God. Let us note what John wrote further,
“For the law was given through Moses, but grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has
seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who
is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”
John 1:17-18
Jesus did not just perform signs to help people come to faith, His expositions truly revealed God for who He was! No one could explain God better than He “who is in the bosom of the Father”.
With this understanding of Jesus as the Word, John thus devoted much time and space recording what Jesus said, and not just what He did! Even as John wrote down what Jesus said, he sought to portray Jesus as none other than the LIVING WORD.
THE THEOLOGY OF THE WRITTEN WORD
John was aware of the place that God had given the Scriptures! Jesus made many references to the Scriptures, and thereby indicated a number of things:-
1. Authority of the Scriptures
How did Jesus use the Scriptures? He showed the highest regard for the written Word. He certainly showed familiarity with it. At no time did He contradict the Scriptures. He appealed again and again to the Scriptures as a powerful and authoritative witness as to His true identity.
In a powerful word to His opponents, Jesus challenged them to study the Scriptures carefully.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think
you have eternal life; and these are they which
testify of Me.”
John 5:39
2. The teachings of Jesus on par with the written Scriptures
John introduced Jesus as one who taught that His words were to be received on par with the Old Testament Scriptures! He noted what Jesus said on several occasions.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits
nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit,
and they are life.”
John 6:63
Peter, in response to Jesus made a most definitive statement concerning the words that Jesus spoke.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words
of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know
that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
John 6:68-69
Jesus, at all times claimed that His doctrines came directly from God Himself.
“My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know
concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God
or whether I speak on My own authority.”
John 7:16-17
THE PLACE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WRITTEN WORD
John made a very bold theological statement in this text.
“But these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that
believing you my have life in His Name.”
John 20:31
What an audacious statement! But John did not write these words foolishly or arrogantly! Jesus had called and trained a special group of Disciples whom He later called His Apostles! They were given this authority to write words such as these! John’s Gospel was to be regarded with the greatest of respect!