NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 17
page 1791
The Blueprint
A. BIRTH AND PREPARATION OF JESUS,
THE SON OF GOD
(1:1–2:12)
John makes it clear that Jesus was not just a man; he was and is the eternal Son
of God. He is the Light of the World because he offers the gift of eternal life to all
people. How blind and foolish to call Jesus nothing more than an unusually good
man or moral teacher. Yet we sometimes act as if this were true when we casually
toss around his words and go about living our own way. If Jesus is the eternal Son
of God, we should pay attention to his divine identity and life-giving message.
B. MESSAGE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS,
THE SON OF GOD (2:13–12:50)
1. Jesus encounters belief and unbelief from
the people
2. Jesus encounters conflict with the religious
leaders
3. Jesus encounters crucial events in Jerusalem
Jesus met with individuals, preached to great crowds, trained his disciples, and
debated with the religious leaders. The message that he is the Son of God received
a mixed reaction. Some worshiped him, some were puzzled, some shrunk back,
and some were determined to silence him. We see the same varied reactions today.
Times have changed, but people’s hearts remain hard. May we see ourselves in
these encounters Jesus had with people, and may our response be to worship and
follow him.
C. DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS,
THE SON OF GOD
(13:1–21:25)
1. Jesus teaches his disciples
2. Jesus completes his mission
Jesus carefully instructed the disciples how to continue to believe even after his
death, yet they could not take it in. After he had died and the first reports came back
that he was alive, the disciples did not believe it. Thomas is especially remembered
as one who refused to believe even after hearing eyewitness accounts from other
disciples. May we not be like Thomas, demanding a physical face-to-face encounter,
but may we accept the eyewitness testimony of the disciples that John has recorded
in this Gospel.
Megathemes
THEME
E X P L A N AT I O N
Jesus Christ,
Son of God
John shows us that Jesus is unique as God’s special Son, yet he is fully God. Because he is fully God, Jesus is able to
reveal God to us clearly and accurately. Because he is God’s Son, we can perfectly trust what he says. By trusting him,
we can gain an open mind to understand God’s message and fulfill his purpose for us.
Eternal Life
Before the world began, Jesus lived with God, and he will reign forever with him. In John we see Jesus revealed in
power and magnificence even before his resurrection. Because Jesus is God, he lives forever and can offer eternal life
to us. We are invited to begin living in a personal, eternal relationship with him now. By trusting him, we receive a new
life. And even though our physical bodies must grow old and die, we will be resurrected and live forever with Jesus.
Belief
John records eight specific signs, or miracles, that show the nature of Jesus’ power and love. We see his power over
everything created, and we see his love of all people. These signs encourage us to believe in him. Believing in him
means having active, living, and continuous trust in Jesus as God. When we believe in his life, his words, his death,
and his resurrection, we are cleansed from sin and receive power to follow him. If we want this to happen, we must
respond to him by believing in him and submitting to him.
The Holy Spirit
Jesus taught his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after he ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit would
then indwell, guide, counsel, and comfort those who follow Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s presence and
power are multiplied in all who believe, and through him, we are drawn to God in faith. We must know the Holy Spirit
to understand all Jesus taught. We can experience Jesus’ love and guidance as we allow the Holy Spirit to do his
work in us.
Resurrection
On the third day after he died, Jesus rose from the dead. This was verified by his disciples and many eyewitnesses.
The reality of the Resurrection changed the disciples from frightened deserters to dynamic leaders in the new
church. The Resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. Because of this event, we can be changed as the
disciples were and have confidence that our bodies will one day be raised to live with Christ forever. The same power
that raised Christ to life can give us the ability to follow Christ each day.
Judea
becomes
a Roman
province
AD 6
Tiberius
Caesar
becomes
emperor
14
Pontius
Pilate
appointed
governor
26
Jesus
begins his
ministry
26/27
Jesus
and
Nicodemus
27
Jesus
chooses
12 disciples
28
Jesus
feeds
5,000
29
Jesus is
crucified,
rises again,
and ascends
30
