Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

John: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

John 20v31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

As we complete our survey of the gospels, we find that John is very straight about his purpose for writing the details he did. John tells us that Jesus did many other things too, but John has chosen certain key highlights to show that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God.

John begins in chapter 1 by telling us that Jesus is God and came from God: “In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God and the Word was God … the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” He then gives us the testimony of John the Baptist, “I have seen and I verify that this is the Son of God;” of Andrew, “We have found the Christ,” and of Nathanael, “You are the Son of God.”

John’s main section demonstrates the different ways in which this truth was obvious. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World” and physically gave sight to the blind. He said, “I am the Bread of Life” and physically fed 5000. He said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” and also physically raised Lazarus from the dead. And so on. But he was also the suffering servant who “knew that he had come from God and was returning to God, so … began to wash the disciples feet.” People who are afraid of losing power have to grasp hold of it, but there was no such fear in Jesus. He knew who he was, he knew where ultimate power lay and he could place himself in the Father’s hands: hence, when threatened with death, Jesus could say to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest.”

And Jesus’ confidence was not unfounded as God raised Jesus from the dead on the 3rd day. Thomas, famed for his sceptism, on meeting the resurrected Jesus declared, “My Lord and my God.”

It is on the rock of Jesus Christ that our faith rests. He is true, and so our faith is true. This is wonderful news. Keep reminding yourself that Jesus Christ is Lord and God.

With love and blessing,

Roland