1. JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S REVELATION TO THE WORLD
CHAPTER 9
JESUS IN
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

2. Organization of John’s Gospel
Prologue
Highlights the theme of the Gospel
The Book of Signs
Miracles and their teachings
The Book of Glory
Explanation of Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection
Epilogue: Resurrection Appearances
Differences between Jesus’ newly resurrected body and his former one

3. Background of the Gospel of John
Date: likely between 90 and 100 AD
Earliest fragment of New Testament writing is from John’s Gospel: John Rylands Greek papyrus
Author: John, the “Beloved Disciple”
Possibly written in several stages and edited by different people who were inspired by John
Audience: diverse group that included Samaritan converts, Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians who were expelled from synagogues

4. Themes of the Gospel of John
Strengthen the faith of the believers
Win new converts
Fight false ideas about Jesus’ full humanity or even his divinity
Challenge followers of John the Baptist who wrongly believed he was the Messiah

5. The Uniqueness of John’s Gospel
More mystical than the synoptics
Emphasizes that Jesus Christ is true God and true man
New characters appear
Jewish feasts are highlighted over Jesus’ three-year ministry
Center of Jesus’ ministry is Jerusalem
Long, extended discourses rather than short sayings or parables
Jesus is the focus of God’s Revelation—
”I AM”
Very poetic

6. The Incarnation
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God And the word became flesh.”

7. sarks (Greek), carne (Latin) WE CANNOT BE HUMAN BEINGS WITHOUT BODIES!
The Incarnation
sarks (Greek), carne (Latin)
FLESH
WE CANNOT BE HUMAN BEINGS WITHOUT BODIES!
Docetism: an early heresy that was associated with the Gnostics that claimed that Jesus had no human body and only appeared to die on the Cross

8. The Importance of the Incarnation
If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then he didn’t really die and rise. If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then our human nature is not healed. If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then we have never perceived the Glory of God.

9. Mary, the Mother of God
By responding “yes” to God’s invitation to the Incarnation at the Annunciation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish.

10. The study of Jesus Christ—trying to understand who he is
Christology
The study of Jesus Christ—trying to understand who he is
John focuses on the heavenly origins of Christ and his fundamental identity as God’s only Son.
The synoptics provide a narrative of Jesus of Nazareth and develop his story as an ascent to glory through the Paschal Mystery.

11. The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 1: The Wedding at Cana
Jesus changed the water into wine; we believe that he can change us. Water symbolizes baptism; wine symbolizes the Eucharist. Mary’s concern for others moved her to intercede.

12. The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 2: Cure of the Official’s Son
Sign 3: Cure on a Sabbath
Power of Jesus’ word was enough to heal the son of a court official Jesus can rescue us from spiritual death. Shows the power of intercessory prayer (prayer for others)
Jesus is the source of life. “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” Both the Son and the Father work on the Sabbath.

13. The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 4 and 5: Multiplication of Loaves and Walking on Water
Recall Moses’ miracles in Exodus after the first Passover
Manna in the desert
Walking through the Red Sea
Jesus is the New Moses and the true Passover.

14. Bread of Life Discourse
After these signs, Jesus tells his disciples that he replaces the manna of the Exodus.
He is the source of eternal life—the Eucharist.
The Eucharist brings about an intimate relationship between Christ and the Church.
Peter: Master, to whom shall we go?

15. The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 6: Cure of a Man Born Blind
Sign 7: Raising of Lazarus
Contrasts a blind man who was given sight with those who had physical sight yet were spiritually blind. Remain faithful to Jesus and your faith will deepen. The Lord teaches that spiritual blindness is worse than physical blindness.
This most important sign prefigures Jesus’ own Death and Resurrection.
Sums up all the signs
Jesus is the way of life
Jesus is the Resurrection
Jesus is God (“I Am”).
Faith is essential for us to gain eternal life.

16. The Last Supper
John reports the Last Supper occurred on the day the Jews killed the lambs for Passover. Every Eucharist re-presents in an unbloody manner the one Sacrifice of Christ. Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. He promises to send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit

17. The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus
The Lord greatly desires to live in us, people united to him.

18. Passion Narrative
Jesus is in control of the events of his Passion. John highlights the Old Testament prophecies concerning the crucifixion. Jesus entrusted his Mother to the Beloved Disciple, and symbolically, to the whole Church.

19. Resurrection of Jesus
The central event of our Salvation! John shows how a personal encounter with Jesus, not an empty tomb, brings about faith. Jesus appears to the Apostles and commissions them to continue his work, to be missionaries

20. Comparing the Resurrection Narratives
All four Gospels agree on the following essentials:
The Resurrection took place early in the morning on the first day of the week.
Women were present at the tomb, definitely including Mary Magdalene.
The stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty.
A messenger or messengers who spoke to the women were at the tomb; the women were to tell the disciples what took place.