Welcome to the Book of John!

That Jesus existed is pretty much indisputable. Even objective historical evidence talks of a man named Jesus who walked around Palestine and taught the Jewish people, had followers, and was ultimately killed on a cross. That much we know, and the theologians and historians all agree.

But who was that man, really? That’s the question – the question in the decades following Jesus’ death, and the question for people today. Who was Jesus, who did he claim to be, and what does who he was mean for humanity?

That’s the question the Apostle John was answering. There were differing opinions in John’s day – was he a great teacher or a criminal? A miracle worker or magician? Did he really rise from the dead, or was it just folk-lore? Was he a great man, or a man-used-by-God, or somehow God-who-became-a-man?

Not everyone in the decades after Jesus agreed. Some were glad he was dead and gone. Some people were mildly curious, some indifferent. And some believed he was more, that he was the gateway to God, and gave their lives to follow him.

Things haven’t changed much. Of all the issues surrounding Christianity, none are as great as this one: Who is Jesus, really?

Welcome to the Book of John. The Apostle John – one of Jesus’ best friends – wrote some pages to explain Jesus to his contemporaries. It’s a story, but not an untrue one – in this book you will experience truth, love, and light. Just keep asking, Who is Jesus, really?

Read a couple of chapters each week. Check back each week for a couple of things:

· Study Notes. Each week I’ll post some new study notes – nothing really new, just my own thoughts on the chapters. I hope it helps bring some things to clarity and brings some deeper understanding for you.

· Comment. Each week, I challenge you to write down one new thing you learned about Jesus. Look and see what others are posting too.