Anyone who has read the first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) will tell you that there are striking similarities. All three contain similar stories and events and trace a familiar storyline about the life of Christ. The Gospel of John, in contrast, is vastly different, with 90% of its content not found in the other Gospels. It’s written in a simple style; sometimes, it’s even childlike in its composition and yet, at the same time, deeply profound and moving. St Augustine, the African theologian, was rumoured to have said that the Gospel of John is like “a pool in which both a child may wade, and an elephant can swim.” In other words, John is simple enough that those new to faith can understand it, yet deep enough to bring a lifetime of contemplation to any follower of Jesus. Written by the apostle John an eyewitness and disciple of Jesus, from Ephesus around AD 70 and is probably one of the last books to be written in the Scriptures. His purpose for writing his Gospel is clear, “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31)
Our prayer is that by the end of the five weeks, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what it means to refract the light, love and life of Christ in our world.
