Intent of John’s Gospel

 “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book.  But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name” (John20:30 – 31; HCSB).

John desired that people would believe the truth about Jesus Christ – that He is the Messiah, the Son of God.  He doesn’t say these things for the sole purpose that his readers would be orthodox in their theology, though that is vital.  Along with the knowledge of the truth concerning Christ are the words “and believing you may have life in His name.”  Jesus Himself says: “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10b).  The blessed and eternal life that God intended people to have is found in union with Jesus Christ.

“John, the longest surviving of the apostles, recorded in his Gospel a portrait of Jesus that reflects the depth of years of reflection on who Jesus is and what he means to the world.  Writing in light of the philosophies of his day, John describes Jesus as the incarnate Word, the divine Logos, the embodiment of all truth and wisdom.”

1 John 5:11: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is IN THE SON.”