Themes in the Gospel of John
Sabbath School Lesson 5
The Testimony of the Samaritans
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> Download Themes in the Gospel of John (4th qtr) Sabbath School Lessons Here
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In the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), we see a religious leader who has significant knowledge of Jewish law and tradition but lacks understanding of the deeper spiritual truths. Jesus gently corrects Nicodemus, emphasizing the need for spiritual rebirth and transformation through the Spirit, rather than simply relying on intellectual or theological knowledge.
When dealing with church leaders who may seem knowledgeable but are missing what really matters—such as love, humility, or a true relationship with God—here are a few approaches inspired by this encounter
Grace and Patience
Jesus didn’t condemn Nicodemus but took time to explain the truth to him with grace. In our interactions, it's essential to approach such leaders with respect and patience, recognizing that growth and deeper understanding may take time.
Encouraging Humility and Reflection
Nicodemus was humble enough to seek out Jesus privately and ask questions. Encouraging leaders to remain humble, open to learning, and willing to reflect on their beliefs can be crucial for spiritual growth. Sometimes posing thoughtful, probing questions can help.
Focus on Transformation, Not Just Knowledge
Jesus emphasizes the importance of being "born again" and led by the Spirit, pointing to transformation rather than just head knowledge. We can encourage leaders to focus on personal spiritual transformation, seeking God’s heart in prayer, and living out love and service.
Leading by Example
Sometimes the best way to show what really matters is through our own actions. Demonstrating Christ-like love, humility, and a focus on spiritual transformation can model for leaders the essence of true faith in action.
Prayer
Praying for leaders who may lack deeper understanding is powerful. Asking God to open their hearts to the truths of His Word and Spirit can be transformative.
These approaches are gentle yet firm, respecting the role of leaders while also prioritizing the deeper truths that Jesus highlighted in His conversation with Nicodemus.
More from Lesson 4 Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah
In John 3:1-21, the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus plays a significant role in supporting the overall theme of the Gospel of John, which is centered on the revelation of Jesus as the divine Son of God and the necessity of faith in Him for eternal life. Here's how Nicodemus' testimony and Jesus' insights into him reinforce this.
Nicodemus' Testimony and the Theme of John's Gospel
Nicodemus as a Pharisee and Ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus represents the religious leaders of Israel, many of whom were skeptical or hostile toward Jesus. He comes to Jesus at night, symbolizing his uncertainty and spiritual blindness (a recurring theme in John). Nicodemus' respectful acknowledgment of Jesus as a teacher "come from God" (John 3:2) reflects his partial understanding of who Jesus is, but it is incomplete.
Jesus as the Light. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is repeatedly described as the "light of the world" (John 1:4-5; 8:12). Nicodemus' coming to Jesus at night hints at his need for spiritual enlightenment. This theme of light and darkness is essential in John's Gospel, illustrating the contrast between belief and unbelief, sight and blindness, life and death.
Jesus' Response to Nicodemus
Being "Born Again." Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are "born again" (John 3:3). This is a profound statement about spiritual rebirth, which Nicodemus initially misunderstands in a literal sense (John 3:4). Jesus explains that this rebirth is spiritual, not physical, and involves being born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5-6). This rebirth is the transformation necessary for entering the kingdom of God, a central message of the Gospel.
Faith and Eternal Life. Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus culminates in the declaration of the necessity of belief in the Son of God for eternal life. This is most famously expressed in John 3:16, where Jesus says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse encapsulates the entire message of the Gospel of John—faith in Jesus as the Son of God brings eternal life.
Jesus' Insight into Nicodemus
Seeing Nicodemus' Heart. Jesus demonstrates that He can see into Nicodemus’ spiritual state. Without Nicodemus explicitly asking, Jesus responds to the deeper questions of Nicodemus’ heart by explaining the need for spiritual rebirth. This shows that Jesus knows Nicodemus' confusion and his desire for truth, even though Nicodemus has not fully articulated it. Jesus’ ability to see into Nicodemus’ heart reflects John’s portrayal of Jesus as omniscient and aware of human thoughts and motives (John 2:24-25).
The Wind Metaphor. Jesus uses the metaphor of the wind to describe the work of the Spirit (John 3:8). Just as the wind is invisible yet its effects are seen, the work of the Holy Spirit is mysterious but transformative. This challenges Nicodemus' understanding of how one enters the kingdom of God and further highlights Jesus’ divine knowledge.
Nicodemus' Development
Nicodemus' testimony in John 3 sets the stage for his gradual transformation. While in this scene he is uncertain and confused, he later reappears in John 7:50-51, where he defends Jesus before the Pharisees, and in John 19:39, where he helps Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus. These appearances suggest that Nicodemus slowly moves from confusion to belief, echoing the journey many in John's Gospel take toward faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
The testimony of Nicodemus supports the theme of the Gospel of John by illustrating the necessity of spiritual rebirth and faith in Jesus for salvation. Jesus' interaction with Nicodemus shows His divine insight and reinforces John's portrayal of Jesus as the bringer of truth, light, and eternal life. The conversation is a microcosm of the broader themes of the Gospel: the contrast between light and darkness, spiritual blindness and sight, and life through faith in Jesus.
More from Lesson 4 Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah
In John 1:43-46, Philip’s encounter with Jesus reveals his immediate recognition of who Jesus is, which demonstrates his early faith.
John 1:43: Jesus decides to go to Galilee, where He finds Philip and says to him, "Follow me."
John 1:44: Philip, from Bethsaida (the same city as Andrew and Peter), begins to follow Jesus.
John 1:45: Philip then finds Nathanael and tells him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
John 1:46: Nathanael skeptically responds, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” But Philip simply replies, “Come and see.”
Philip's message in verse 45 reveals several things about his faith
Recognition of Jesus as the Messiah
Philip identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecies found in the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets, demonstrating that he believes Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. This shows his faith in Jesus' divine role right from the beginning.
Conviction and Enthusiasm
His immediate response to find Nathanael and share the news suggests that Philip is already convinced of Jesus' significance. He doesn’t hesitate or doubt; instead, he’s eager to bring others to Jesus.
Trust in Jesus’ Authority
Even though Nathanael expresses skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth, Philip’s faith is evident in his confident reply, “Come and see.” He trusts that simply encountering Jesus will be enough to convince Nathanael, reflecting Philip’s own assurance in Jesus' identity and authority.
Philip’s message reveals that he already has a firm belief in Jesus as the Messiah and shows a readiness to share this good news with others, trusting in Jesus' power to reveal the truth to those who doubt.
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In John 1:47–51, the account of Jesus meeting Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) shows how Jesus revealed His divine knowledge, which convinced Nathanael of who He was.
How Jesus Convinced Nathanael
Verse 47: As Nathanael approached, Jesus said, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael was surprised because Jesus seemed to know his character without having met him before.
Verse 48: Nathanael asked, "How do you know me?" Jesus replied, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." This knowledge of Nathanael's whereabouts, even though Jesus was not physically present, revealed Jesus' supernatural insight.
Nathanael’s Response
Verse 49: Nathanael immediately responded, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel." This was a declaration of faith, as Nathanael recognized that only someone with divine authority could know such things.
Verses 50-51: Jesus then told Nathanael that he would see even greater things, specifically mentioning "heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man," referring to future revelations of Jesus' glory and divine nature.
Nathanael’s response shows that he was convinced of Jesus’ identity through the miraculous knowledge that Jesus displayed.
More from Lesson 4 Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah
In John 1:35-39, the two disciples who were following John the Baptist took decisive action after hearing his witness about Jesus.
John's Witness
John the Baptist saw Jesus passing by and proclaimed, "Look, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36). By identifying Jesus this way, John was pointing to Him as the Messiah, the one sent by God to take away the sins of the world (as mentioned earlier in John 1:29).
The Disciples’ Reaction
After hearing John’s testimony, the two disciples (one of whom is later identified as Andrew) immediately left John and started following Jesus (John 1:37). This was a direct response to John’s powerful witness about Jesus’ identity as the promised Savior.
Why They Followed
They followed Jesus because John’s words revealed that Jesus was not just another teacher or prophet, but the "Lamb of God" — the fulfillment of the long-awaited Messiah. The phrase "Lamb of God" would have had deep significance to them, evoking the image of the sacrificial lamb, central to Jewish understanding of atonement and redemption. Their decision to follow was driven by a desire to know more about this person who carried such profound meaning.
Their Interaction with Jesus
Jesus noticed them following Him and asked, "What do you want?" (John 1:38). The disciples asked where He was staying, which implied that they wanted to spend more time with Him. Jesus invited them to "Come and see," and they spent the day with Him (John 1:39).
Why they followed is key. They recognized from John’s testimony that Jesus was the one they had been waiting for—the Messiah. John's witness stirred their hearts to seek more from Jesus, so they followed Him to learn from Him directly, marking the beginning of their journey as His disciples.
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In John 1:29–37, John the Baptist makes a profound proclamation about Jesus. The passage describes John seeing Jesus coming toward him, and he declares:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, ESV)
Proclamation
John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” This proclamation is essential because it reveals Jesus' mission and role in God's plan for humanity.
Image of the Lamb
The image of the lamb carries deep significance, particularly for the Jewish people:
Sacrificial lamb: In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrifices for the atonement of sins, particularly during the Passover (Exodus 12). In the Passover story, the blood of a lamb protected the Israelites from the angel of death. By calling Jesus the "Lamb of God," John is identifying Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Isaiah's prophecy: In Isaiah 53:7, the Messiah is depicted as a suffering servant, like a lamb led to the slaughter. This image connects Jesus to the prophetic vision of a Savior who would suffer for the sins of the people.
Significance for Understanding Jesus’ Mission
Atonement for sin: John's proclamation underscores that Jesus' mission is to atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus would be the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world through His death on the cross.
Universal salvation: Unlike the sacrificial lambs in the Old Testament, which were for specific people (like the Israelites), Jesus as the Lamb of God is a sacrifice for the entire world. This reveals the universal scope of Jesus' mission to save all who believe in Him.
John the Baptist's proclamation of Jesus as the "Lamb of God" emphasizes His role as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament and pointing to His mission of bringing salvation to all. This image of the lamb is rich with theological meaning, encapsulating Jesus’ purpose as the Savior and Redeemer.
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In John 1:19–23, John the Baptist explains his ministry and mission when questioned by the Jewish leaders. Here’s a summary of how he responds.
He denied being the Christ (John 1:19-20). When the Jewish priests and Levites from Jerusalem ask John who he is, he immediately denies being the Christ (Messiah). He knows that people are curious about whether he is the long-awaited savior, but he clarifies that he is not.
John the Baptist also denies being Elijah or "the Prophet" (John 1:21). The leaders then ask him if he is Elijah or "the Prophet" (a reference to the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15 about a prophet like Moses). John denies both identities. Although in a spiritual sense, he fulfills the role of Elijah by preparing the way for the Lord (as Jesus would later say in Matthew 11:14), John himself makes it clear he is not literally Elijah returned to earth.
John affirmed his true role (John 1:22-23). Finally, they ask him directly who he is so they can report back to those who sent them. John quotes from Isaiah 40:3, saying:
“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
Here, John the Baptist defines his mission as one who prepares the way for the coming of the Messiah. He describes himself as a "voice" announcing the arrival of someone far greater than himself—Jesus. His role is to call people to repentance and prepare their hearts to receive the Lord.
John the Baptist humbly points to Jesus and emphasizes that his own mission is to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.
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