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Appreciating the writing style of the apostle John

Text: John 1:1-18

APPRECIATING THE WRITING STYLE OF THE APOSTLE JOHN

One of the ways in which we can understand the Gospel of John better is to note the manner or style in which John wrote. He must have written his Gospel in a contemplative mood. What does that mean?

John began by saying that God had sent a special witness to testify about the true identity of Jesus. Soon after, John would add some of his own thoughts concerning Jesus. Shortly after having done that, he would return to John as God’s special witness. We can well understand why John did that. His writing style was affected by his faith in Jesus and his love for Him. Thus thoughts of Jesus would come in from time to time, and affect his writing.

John introduced his namesake, John the Baptiser as a special witness. He wrote,

“There was a man sent from God,
whose name was John.
This man came for a witness, to bear witness
of the light, that all through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness
of that Light.”
John 1:6-8

Mention of the word “Light” set off John to reminisce about Jesus being the True Light. And once he started, he introduced other profound truths about Jesus: how He was able to grant people the authority to become children of God, how He was the Word who dwelt among men, in the flesh.

John then returned to his original task of presenting John the Baptiser as a witness concerning Jesus.

“John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying,
“This was He of whom I said,
‘He who comes after me is preferred before me,
for He was before me.’ ” ”
John 1:15

Once again, John was caught up with John’s testimony concerning Jesus. He contemplated on what John the Baptiser meant, and added some more thoughts about Jesus. John’s thoughts are always deep and profound. However, we would have to appreciate John’s style of writing, if we are to trace his line of thought.

“AND OF HIS FULLNESS WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED…” John 1:16

We can well understand just why John kept on returning to his “favourite theme” – Jesus Himself! It is all very well to present John the Baptiser as a great witness for Jesus. However, there is no greater topic than Jesus Himself. John was easily set off to discuss more about Jesus, at every turn of phrase. He interacted with John the Baptiser’s thoughts about how one should regard Jesus. He is to be preferred indeed.

John recognized just how much he, and all others owed to Jesus. Let us take time to review what John had written about Jesus thus far. Perhaps in this review we would begin to appreciate what John meant when he wrote,

“And of His fullness we have all received,
and grace for grace.”
John 1:16

Let us consider the “fullness of grace” that Jesus had already given to all men.

1. He was the Word of God (John 1:14)

If He had remained in His Father’s bosom and not come to dwell among men, we would never have truly known what God was like. No one has ever seen God and thus no one can truly talk about God with any great authority, except Jesus. He was the only begotten Son and therefore He would explain most clearly and authoritatively what God, His Father was like.

2. He was Co-creator and therefore the Giver of Life (John 1:3)

He gave life when He first created. He gives new life when people turn to Him in faith and trust. He had full authority to grant anyone who believed in Him the right to be called the children of God (John 1:12).

3. He was The Light (John 1:9)

Without the light that Jesus gives, we would still be in great darkness. He was the True Light who came to earth to light every man who believed in Him.

4. He tabernacled among men (John 1:14)

John was absolutely convinced that Jesus was Deity! He existed co-eternally with His Father. John was impacted by the fact that Jesus, being who He was would dwell (set up a tabernacle or tent) among men.

John contemplated on all these things, and he saw the great grace of Jesus. He had poured out such grace upon mankind. Sadly, few really understood, much less appreciated, the grace of the Lord Jesus! But those who had experienced the salvation and new life that Jesus has given would not hesitate to agree that we have indeed received “of the fullness of His grace”.

“GRACE FOR GRACE”

The theme of “grace” was expounded by all the New Testament writers, for all had experienced the grace of Jesus. Whether it was the grace that saved, or the grace that enabled, it was all of grace.

As one store of grace is expended, then God gives another store of grace to live by! John was deeply touched by the grace that was extended to him. He had been but a humble fisherman before, and yet here he had become one of the closest disciples of Jesus. How could he understand and appreciate what Jesus had done for him? How full was the measure of Christ’s grace! He continues to be the same yesterday, today and forever. Have you experienced the grace of Jesus in your life?