but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 WEB

Of the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, John’s is the last one written. With this statement from the end of his report, John gives the reason for writing his book. Specifically, John wanted to share the good news that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of humanity and through him believers receive eternal life. In addition, he wanted his readers to understand that Jesus said and did far more than the words and works written in his gospel.

As a witness to the miraculous life of our Savior, John wrote his message that readers would believe in the truth of Jesus Christ, receive salvation from sin and eternal life in heaven. Being the last of the gospel accounts, John did not include all of the details of Jesus’ life. Instead, it is a compliment to the other books that were already written.

From Death to Life

A disciple of Christ, John accepted the Great Commission to preach the gospel to the world. He records these words of Jesus in John 5:24, “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. WEB”

Faithful to our Savior, John states his purpose in 1 John 1:3 writing, “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. WEB”

In addition to his gospel account, John wrote 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John in order to share critical truths to support believers in their development in Christ and discipleship. Also, John wrote the final book of the bible, Revelation. His five books in the New Testament provide a wide-ranging body of work that provide an objective source of Godly wisdom from a man who experienced Christ firsthand.

Yesterday’s Devotional: The Power of God