March 16, 2023

John 1: 5-7 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. (NIV)

It is precisely their distinctives that are the reason for having four gospels in the first place.*

The four gospel writers are like a newspaper staff. Matthew, Mark, and Luke were the reporters – just the facts, each with his own target audience. John was the editorial columnist. When it comes to the news, I want to know the who, what, when, and where – not how the reporter felt about it. But sometimes I don’t quite understand the ramifications of the event. That’s when I need John. Someone I can trust to provide the context and the subtext without putting his spin on it.

If you were a new Christian – or interested in becoming one – I would recommend that you start your journey of faith by reading the gospel of Mark. It is the shortest, and it gives you all the background information you need. Armed with that knowledge, and accompanied by prayer, I would tell you to move on to John’s gospel for his insight as an insider, inspired by the Holy Spirit. He reveals Jesus as he proves his identity as the Son of God; spells out what is wrong with humanity; and tells us how to be saved.*  And of course, John is the one who brought us the most famous verse of all: John 3: 16.

The book of John isn’t just for the beginner or the seeker. The first line of this passage is all I need to remind me that I need to read the book again. “The light shines in darkness, but the darkness had not understood it.” What does that mean? Let’s read the rest of the gospel of John and see if he can shed some light on it!

Information without context strikes the mind but peters out before the heart.*