You will agree with me, some of the most popular books in the New Testament are the Gospels.
The stories about Jesus are very intriguing to many, experiencing the Bible for the very first time. It’s also very easy to think that the four Gospels have similar stories narrated by different people. Well, that’s correct in a way,but if you were ever asked to pick one Gospel to travel with, I would recommend that you pick John.
The Gospel according to John is a unique book in the Bible because it is the only one which records;
1. The 7 “I AM” sayings of Jesus Christ,
A colleague of mine at The Bible society of Uganda refers to these sayings as Jesus’ CV. With these sayings, Jesus defines himself. An example can be found in 14:6 as Jesus replies to Thomas who seemed disturbed as Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure.
…Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
At one point or the other, you as a Christian have quoted that saying.
Other I am sayings can be found in John 15:1-5, John 6:35-48, John 8:12,9:5, John 10:7, John 11:25, John 10:11-14.
These are only recorded in the Gospel according to John.
2. Raising Lazarus from the dead.
A favorite for many. In John chapter 11, Lazarus, a brother to Mary and Martha falls sick and dies. He was buried and Jesus comes four days after burial. When Martha misunderstands him and thinks Lazarus will rise with everyone else on the last day, Jesus again applies one of his I am sayings. John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die….”
3. Jesus washing the disciples’ feet;
This is found in John 13:1-17 in what is referred to as the last supper. As Jesus tried to show a good example to his disciples and teach them to do as he had done.
4. Jesus’ appearance to Mary in the garden;
This passage can be found in John 20:11-18 as Jesus appeared to a very miserable Mary who was outside the tomb crying because the Lord’s body had been taken away.
5. Jesus at the wedding in Cana;
Believed to be Jesus’ first recorded miracle by many, this can be found in John 2:1-12 where Jesus turned water into wine after the wine supply at the wedding had run out.
6. Jesus and the Samaritan woman;
In John 4:1-30, Jesus has an encounter with a Samaritan woman who had come to fetch water from the well but ended up changed by his words.
There are many other unique passages recorded only in the book of John and besides, it also has the most quoted verse in the Bible (John 3:16). No doubt, it is a wonderful collection of Good News! Get reading today.
By Justus Rubarema and Joan Logose