An All-Inclusive Picture Of The Gospel Of John
AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PICTURE
OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
According to John 15, the preaching of the gospel is the overflow of life for the bearing of fruit. However, this is not a simple matter; rather, it is very high and profound. It is much higher than what is commonly considered the Christian life. If we would gain any understand ing of what it means to bear fruit by the over flow of life, we need to see an all-inclusive picture of John's Gospel.
This Gospel begins with the words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." One day, the Word became flesh (1:14), and this flesh was the Lamb of God (1:29). When the Lord was crucified, He was not only the Lamb to accomplish redemp tion; He was also in the form of the serpent (3:14). He was lifted up on the cross that He might deal with Satan, the old serpent. In His death He was not only in the form of the Lamb and the ser pent, but also in the form of a grain of wheat (12:24). As a grain of wheat, He died to produce the many grains, which include all of us. John 1:4 says, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." This life was the light of life (8:12).