THE UNIQUENESS OF JOHN’S GOSPEL:
A Unique Savior By David Deason Synopsis: John introduces his readers to Jesus as a unique Savior by virtue of His identity, an uncommon use of time, and an unprecedented focus upon His role on earth. 
Introduction “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). As John begins his narrative on the life of Christ, he sets forth Jesus as a unique individual. “The Word,” “the Creator,” “the Light of man,” and other designations place Jesus and His mission among man as different from any other leader ever known to mankind. The power, influence, and love that He possessed were unlike that of any other king, conqueror, or hero that has ever lived. He possessed His power by virtue of His deity. He used His influence as directed by His Father. His love was displayed in everything He said and did. In all things, Jesus’s complete focus was on completing the redemptive task for which the Father had sent Him into the world. History paints a picture of many influential individuals who were charismatic and powerful. Many of these even claimed to be deity. In ancient Egypt, Pharaohs were considered gods and sons of gods. As he sought to conquer the world, Alexander the Great traveled to the oasis at Siwa, Egypt, where he claimed to visit the oracle who pronounced him a god. This pronouncement legitimized his rule over Egypt. When Antiochus IV came to power, he sought to rule from a position of fear. “By taking the epitaph Epiphanes (i.e., God Manifest), Antiochus even claimed to be Zeus incarnate” [Note: 1]. Time and time again, men portrayed themselves as something that they were not in an effort to gain submission or power. However, when Jesus comes into this world, John identifies Him as someone different from every leader before Him, as well as every leader to follow. Beginning with his first words, John depicts Jesus as something more than special—He possesses a completely unique identity. John begins his description of the Savior by speaking of His divine purpose. Jesus is “the Word” (1:1). He is divine correspondence between the Father and mankind. The Hebrew writer begins his letter with a similar thought. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Heb. 1:1-2). This divine correspondence began with creation and continues in His word. Jesus is “Life” (1:4). He was the creative agent the Father used to breathe physical life into existence. He is also the source for eternal life for those who are His disciples. Jesus is “Light” (1:4). As light dispels darkness, Jesus entered the world and “enlightened” men as He displayed “glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (1:14). John highlights the Savior’s identity as he records seven miracles that only God could perform. Beginning at Cana, Jesus displayed His miraculous power for the first time by turning the water into wine (John 2). Then He was approached by a royal official who desperately wanted his son healed. Jesus didn’t even have to be present by the boy’s side to extend His healing hand (John 4). John then tells about the lame man who was healed at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus commanded this man to stand and walk, and through His divine power, the man was able to do as told (John 5). Five thousand ate the food He miraculously provided, and the disciples witnessed Him walk on the water upon the Sea of Galilee (John 6). The blind man was healed (John 9) and Lazarus rose from the tomb four days after his burial (John 11). John later tells his readers, “Therefore, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). Story after story could have been told to verify Jesus’s identity as the Son of God. However, with these seven, John proves definitively that Jesus was exactly who He claimed to be. No other king, conqueror, hero, or villain could ever make such a boast and back up his words as this Jesus of Nazareth! Jesus’s uniqueness as a Savior is also displayed by John as he shows us how our Lord made the most of His time. From His revelation as the Son of God to His crucifixion on Golgotha’s hill, only about three and a half years passed. In such a short amount of time, most would carefully arrange the weeks, days, and hours in an effort to be most efficient and to minimize what others might view as wasted time. However, John shows Jesus as unique in His willingness to take time, even for things others might see as insignificant. Why would Jesus waste His precious time by meeting and talking with a Pharisee who was a “ruler of the Jews” (John 3)? Members of this sect were notorious for their jealousy and hatred toward Him. Still, Jesus took the time to explain to Nicodemus important truths about spiritual rebirth, the love of God, and the purpose of the Savior’s coming into the world. Why would Jesus waste His precious time by sitting and talking with a sinful woman from Samaria (John 4)? John even emphasizes the fact that “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” However, Jesus engaged in an extensive conversation with this woman that led her to recognize His unique identity and the blessings that only He could offer. For this obscure woman, He took the time and revealed Himself as Messiah. Even when His life was in jeopardy, this unique Savior took the time to be with and teach those He loved. Through the first eleven chapters of his gospel, John often reveals the jeopardy that Jesus faced. This peril concerned the disciples greatly. In chapter eleven, John informs his readers about Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. When Jesus told the disciples of His plan to return to Judea to be with His friends, they reminded Him of the danger that awaited them: “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” (John 11:8). Yet, Jesus willingly took the time, even at significant risk, to be with those whom He loved. Many kings and rulers, significant people, think selfishly regarding their time and attention, but this is not how John portrays the King of kings! Finally, John also portrays the Savior as unique in regard to His focus. When establishing an earthly dominion, kings and rulers focus on themselves, their own rules, their own desires. However, John shows his audience a Savior who is unique in that His focus was not on Himself, but on those whom He served. From the outset, John tells of the Savior and His service to the Father. “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him” (John 1:18). Jesus understood that His role was to submit humbly to the Father, and point others to Him. It was a role that He accepted passionately. As He came to Jerusalem for the Passover, John tells us, “He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves, He said, ‘Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house will consume me’” (John 2:15-17). Regarding the lessons He taught, John reveals Jesus’s acknowledgment: “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7:16). As John records some of the last conversations that Jesus had with His disciples, the reader finds that Jesus’s focus was not just on pleasing the Father, but also on supplying the one thing that all men desperately need and that only He can supply—a perfect sacrifice. Jesus came to this earth for His disciples, prayed for them, and ultimately bled for them. In that sacrifice, Jesus showed all of mankind the perpetual truth that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Through His identity, unlike anyone’s before or since, with His unexpected use of time, and by His dedicated focus to His purpose on earth, Jesus showed Himself to be the truly unique Savior of the world. Sources [Note: #1] Drummond, John Gregory. “Antiochus Epiphanes—The Bible’s Most Notoriously Forgotten Villain.” Biblical Archaeology Society. November 24, 2023. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/antiochus-epiphanes-the-bibles-most-notoriously-forgotten-villain/. 
David Deason has worked with the Pine Lane church of Christ in Bessemer, AL since September 2011. He and his wife, Janet, have five children. The Pine Lane website is here. He can be reached here. |
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