Life can mean many things to us; it’s the things we do, the people we know, the experiences we
have. It is however about a lot more than that, the Bible tells us that life was given to us by God;
it’s a gift of great meaning and value.
During the whole of 2025 in our morning services we will be studying the Gospel of John. John
very clearly tells us why the gospel is so important;
“that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by
believing you may have life in His name”
Getting to know Jesus is an exciting and life long journey; although he only spent 3 years on earth,
the message of Jesus is an eternal one and so we will always have more to learn about him.
John the son of Zebedee wrote this Gospel. He was a Palestinian Jew, one of the 12 disciples,
and a member of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples. He was referred to as the disciple “whom Jesus
loved” ( 13:23 ). He likely wrote his Gospel account between 70AD the date Jerusalem and the
temple were destroyed by Rome and 100AD when it is thought John died. It was likely written from
Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), one of the most important cities of the Roman
Empire at the time. His original audience consisted of Jews and Gentiles living in the larger Greco-
Roman world in Ephesus and beyond.
If you are familiar with the other Gospels then you will recognise that John’s record of the life of
Jesus is different. John leaves out some things the others record, there is no mention for instance
of the birth of Jesus. On the other hand it’s only John who tells us of the Wedding in Cana, the
encounters with Nicodemus and the Samaritan Women.
Taking a whole year to work through the Gospel will be an excellent opportunity for the church
together to learn more of the Lord Jesus. John will tell us clearly who Jesus is; he will present to
us the wonderful relationship of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We will learn about
Salvation and Eternal Life, and we will receive the challenge to continue Jesus Mission.
Woven into the story will be what John calls signs, indicators of who Jesus is and which also point
clearly to God. We will hear Jesus describe himself in terms like Bread; Water; Doors, they
appear simple and easy to understand and yet contain incredibly deep truths about Jesus and his
ministry.
So as we embark on 2025, why not challenge yourself to read John’s Gospel several times
through the year, in addition to your preferred version, try reading it in a paraphrase like the New
Living Translation or The Message.
If you want to dig a little deeper for yourself there are a great many commentaries that have been
written that will explore John’s gospel. The following are recommended.
 John for Everyone by Tom Wright (2 Volumes)
 The Message of John by Bruce Milne part of the ‘Bible Speaks Today’ series.
 John For You by Josh Moody (2 Volumes)