The Love Book

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

In the words of Scofield, “The four Gospels record the eternal being, human ancestry, birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man. They record also a selection from the incidents of His life, and also from His words and works. Taken together, they set forth, not a biography, but a Personality.” I Love That! (The Scofield Reference Bible, KJV)

The book of John (The Love Book) is one of my favorites. I cry every time I read it. Until now, I never really thought about why it touches me so deeply. I think it is because it speaks to my heart about the depth of a personal relationship with Jesus.

Although the book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles) follows it, the book of John is the only one of the four Gospels that does not record Jesus’ commissioning the twelve Apostles, however John does mention “the twelve” (John6:67). I find it quite fitting that it was the last of the four Gospels written, because it is centered more on relationship. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, our works (Acts) are dead (John 15:5).

It has been debated whether or not John was one of the “two disciples” (of John the Baptist) that followed Jesus, and if he wrote the book of John. Because John refers to himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved”, I find it probable that he would also refer to himself as one of “the two” disciples according to John 1:34. I think that John makes it clear that he is author of the book in John 21:24.

The calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John are recorded in the book of Mark (1:16-20), so in reading John 1:35-49 I know that Andrew and Peter already knew who Jesus was. They abode with him for the day (John 1:39). At times when my faith runs thin it would behoove me to remember that Jesus KNEW Peter before he called him! The first time that Jesus laid eyes on him he called him Cephas (a stone) (John 1:42). It is no coincidence that at Peter’s revelation that Jesus is the Son of the living God, that Jesus said, “Thou art Peter (a small stone), and upon this rock will I build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). I also find it interesting that when Jesus ordained “the twelve”, he surnamed James and John (Boanerges) (The sons of thunder) (Mark 3:17). When a village of Samaritans would not receive him, they asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:54). HE KNOWS US!

After Jesus called Phillip, Phillip went to get Nathaniel. Phillip called Jesus “the son of Joseph”(man), but because Jesus KNEW Nathaniel, Nathaniel said, you are “the Son of God“(John 1:43-49).

When Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum that he is the bread of life, many of his disciples were offended. From that time, they went back and walked with him no more (John 6:66). This is noteworthy because my heart sank within me when Jesus said to “the twelve”, Will you also go away (John 6:67)?

It is my feeling that John is also the disciple that went into the palace with Jesus and came back to get Peter who was standing outside the door (John 18:15-16). Scripture then tells us that Peter denied the Lord three times. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus turned, and looked upon Peter, who then went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).

At the crucifixion:

John 19; 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (John), he said unto his mother, Woman behold thy son! 27 Then said he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. RELATIONSHIP!

After the resurrection:

Jesus appeared to the disciples: Thomas not present

He stood in the midst of them and showed them his hands and his side. He said, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:19-21).

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

I CRIED

John 25 (Thomas) “Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:26-28

26 Again after eight days his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing. 28 Then Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

I CRIED

John 21 (last chapter)

Here again, John has referred to himself as “one of the two” other disciples. Here again, I wept as I pictured Jesus calling out to them from the shore. They had caught nothing all night, but at his command they let down their net down on the right side. It was completely full, but it did not break. When the disciple that Jesus loved (John) said to Peter, “It is the Lord” I was again moved to tears. When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his fishers coat on and jumped overboard to meet him. As soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals with fish and bread prepared. Jesus saith to them, “Come and dine”.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus then tells Peter that when he is old, he will be bound and carried to a place that he would rather not go (speaking of what death he would glorify God). He instructs him, “Follow me”. Then in Peter’s humanness, he asked Jesus what John would do. Jesus told Peter that Johns calling was none of his concern, and again instructed him, “Follow thou me”. RELATIONSHIP

This book is so wonderful that I am finding it difficult trying to keep my scope within context! There is a scripture that means so much to me that I have to include it. When Judas brought the band of soldiers to take Jesus, when Jesus said “I am he” they All fell down backwards to the ground (John 18:6). The first time that this hit my spirit, I thought that I might shout my house down! When Jesus speaks, they All fall down! He forever stands on the shoreline of my life calling unto me, “Come and Dine”. RELATIONSHIP

In conclusion Jesus has reminded us that we will face persecution as he did. The servant is not greater than his Lord (John 15:20). He has commanded us to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).

John 4:35 Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white and already to harvest.

LOVEST THOU ME?