May 11, 2020
Do You Believe?
John 20:31
Rebe Long
Central Truth
The Gospel of John is written to reveal Jesus as the Savior of the world. John wants everyone to walk away from hearing/reading his accounts of the Christ knowing the I AM, the rescuer, the promised Messiah.
Key Verse | John 20:30-31
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Dive Deeper | John 20:31
To sum up the Gospel of John, Jesus' power and the depiction of Jesus as Savior are displayed through three things: what Jesus does, what He says, and how others respond.
We see what He does throughout the seven "signs" (as John calls them) that Jesus performs:
- Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11);
- Healing the official's son at a distance (John 4:46-54);
- Healing the invalid at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15);
- Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:5-13);
- Walking on water (John 6:16-21);
- Healing a man born blind (John 9:1-39); and
- Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44).
After each sign (or miracle as some would call it), there was major controversy surrounding such wonders, ultimately leaving the witnesses with a choice—do you believe?
What Jesus says are the seven "I AM" statements throughout this book. Jesus says, I AM:
- The bread of life (John 6:35, 48);
- The light of the world (John 8:12);
- The door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9);
- The good shepherd (John 10:11, 14);
- The resurrection and the life (John 11:25);
- The way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); and
- The true vine (John 15:1, 5).
In these seven statements, Jesus is again pointing to His glory and to His unique ability to save. Once again, witnesses are left with the choice—do you believe?
Finally, how others react to the signs and statements is a big piece of this Gospel's message. After seeing the blind man healed, the pharisees plot to kill Jesus (John 9); while the Samaritans, on the other hand, see the transformation of the town outcast and plead with Jesus to stay with them longer (John 4). We see various reactions from the different witnesses of Jesus' miracles and teachings, and they are left with the same question yet again—do you believe?
It is a question for you Journey readers as well. Do you believe?
Discussion Questions
1. In all the other Gospels, there is an account of Jesus asking disciples, "Who do the people say I am?" and "Who do you say I am?" What are your answers? What do people in your life believe about Jesus? Where do you have opportunity to feed others? What do you believe about Jesus?
2. Looking at the seven "I AM" declarations throughout John, which one or ones do you struggle to find really true about our Savior? (Example: "I am the bread of life." Seeing Jesus as provider and trusting He will deliver me and my needs—that's where doubt and control creep in. I need to confess that).
3. In John 4, the woman, whose whole life is interrupted and turned upside down (in the best way) by the Messiah, runs and tells the town. Where has God called you to be bold with your story and His mercy on your life today? What would it look like if you went and told the whole town of your redemption? How might others' lives change if you did? (Read John 4:39-42.)
4. Throughout John's Gospel, there is a choice to be made after each of Jesus' marvelous acts and declarations. Will you follow Him or depart from Him? In John 6:67, Jesus offers His disciples an out. Peter replies for them in John 6:68-69, "To whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." Does your life look like one of reckless abandon for full devotion/full followership?