WEEK 1: HAVE YOU RESTED IN THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE?
The Gospel of John
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17
The New Testament of the Bible begins with the first Gospel, the Gospel of Matthew. Followed by Mark, Luke, and John.
The first three are referred to as the synoptic Gospels and contain similar accounts of Jesus’ life. John stands somewhat separate from the others with a unique focus.
The Focus of John is Jesus as the Messiah and the gift of Salvation and eternal life that He brings to all who believe and surrender their lives to Him. As Jesus’s disciple, John, the author, was able to witness Jesus’s ministry on earth in its entirety.
John was not only one of the twelve disciples but in John 13:23 Jesus refers to John as the disciple that He loved.
“One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side” John 13:23
If you were to think back to one of the first Bible verses you ever heard, what would it be? I would guess that for many of us, John 3:16 would be at the top of that list.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
While the meaning of this verse meant the same to me from the first time I heard it until now, the depth of it is a different story. As I have grown in my walk with God over the years, the transforming power of His love for me has made more of an impact than anything else. God’s love offers meaning to who He is. It reveals His grace and mercy towards us. His love gives us Hope through the promise of His Word and gives purpose and direction to our lives even on our darkest days. When you rest in His love, you realize that this love was the reason that His Son stepped down out of the magnificence of Heaven to give up His life to save yours.
That is love and His love is a gift.
I look back over the years and I’m humbled that the God that created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), created me also. His Son, Jesus, who was His Word in the flesh (John 1:1) came to earth so that I could know the vastness of His love and the freedom of His forgiveness.
I pray that you will join me as read, study, memorize, and meditate on the Gospel of John this month. And as you do, I encourage you not to just read it and check the box, but instead to just rest in it. Allow God’s Words to impress upon your heart the gift of His Son and the sacrifice He made for us.
From the very beginning of the Bible God created us to be with Him. And even though sin broke His perfect Creation, God loved us so much that He made a way for us to be in a right relationship with Him. That was through His Son, Jesus Christ.
No, Creation hasn’t been restored to its perfect state yet, but one day it will. But for the now—in the waiting, we seek Jesus. We live our lives according to the example that He left for us.
John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is the truth and the only way to His Father. Let us never forget the amazing love He has for us and the gift of His Son, Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.
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Joyfully HIS,
Jennifer N. Pearson
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To start the new year here in the book of John is so perfect! In John chapter 1, we were reminded of Who Jesus is. Today, in chapter 2, we are reminded of what He can do! Notice in 2:3 how Mary approached Jesus, "They have no wine." The unspoken question shows she knew Who He was and what He could do!