Analytical Gospel Review The book of John is one of the four synoptic gospels that essentially chronicle the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. There are several conflicting stories about the authorship of this gospel. One writer, Kenneth Barksdale, suggests that the author is the Apostle John, otherwise known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (1499). Barksdale rationalizes his assumption that John is the writer by many facts recorded in the Gospel, the most logical is the fact that although John was very prominent in the early church, he is not mentioned by name in the book of John (1499). Additionally, the fact that the author was very familiar with Jewish life, geography, and specifics about Bethany, all point to John being written
…show more content…
Each miracle intentionally spoke to the power that Jesus had through God. Some of the most notable miracles include, changing water into wine, feeding the 5,000, healing the man born blind, and raising Lazarus from the dead (Barksdale 1500). These miracles served equally important purposes, one was that many were converted to Christianity, and the other was that the disciples would believe also. For example, Mary and Martha, of Bethany, sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick and admonished him to come, so he could heal him. His disciples did not understand when Jesus referred to Lazarus as sleep, and stated, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be alright” (Harrelson 1930). The disciples, in fact, were reluctant to return to Judea because the Jews were looking for Jesus to stone him. Harrelson states, “Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (1930). Furthermore, in John, Jesus positions himself as the Son of man in his relationships with many recorded in this text. Some examples include, Nicodemus, the women at the well, and healing the nobleman’s son. In the account of the women at the well, Jesus abandons tradition to introduce this woman to the living water; he is the living water. He doesn’t judge her, as she supposed he would, but offered her eternal life. The woman not only accepted Jesus as the Christ, but became a witness. John 4:28-29 says, “the woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is this not the Christ” (Barksdale 1510). The people then went out of the city to meet
Each miracle intentionally spoke to the power that Jesus had through God. Some of the most notable miracles include, changing water into wine, feeding the 5,000, healing the man born blind, and raising Lazarus from the dead (Barksdale 1500). These miracles served equally important purposes, one was that many were converted to Christianity, and the other was that the disciples would believe also. For example, Mary and Martha, of Bethany, sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick and admonished him to come, so he could heal him. His disciples did not understand when Jesus referred to Lazarus as sleep, and stated, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be alright” (Harrelson 1930). The disciples, in fact, were reluctant to return to Judea because the Jews were looking for Jesus to stone him. Harrelson states, “Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (1930). Furthermore, in John, Jesus positions himself as the Son of man in his relationships with many recorded in this text. Some examples include, Nicodemus, the women at the well, and healing the nobleman’s son. In the account of the women at the well, Jesus abandons tradition to introduce this woman to the living water; he is the living water. He doesn’t judge her, as she supposed he would, but offered her eternal life. The woman not only accepted Jesus as the Christ, but became a witness. John 4:28-29 says, “the woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is this not the Christ” (Barksdale 1510). The people then went out of the city to meet