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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – 90 years is a long time. Most historians believe that the Gospel of John was written 90 years after Jesus walked the earth.
Many of Jesus’ followers would have presumed that he would have come back by then. How soon Jesus would return was a confusing issue for the early church. Considering how many predictions have been made from then to now, it still is.
John was certainly the last of the gospels to be written. Mathew, Mark and Luke are much earlier. One of the reasons John is such a good read is because it gives Christ’s ministry deeper meaning. It’s a more reflective book.
John’s gospel doesn’t start with a star over Bethlehem and a birth in a manger. Instead he tells us that Jesus was sent into the world by his father. Jesus is light – and darkness does not overcome it. And we are given an invitation – if we accept the light of Christ in our lives, we are changed. We are His.
John also gives the most detailed description of the Last Supper. It is the last time that Jesus would be with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. And his message is love; they must love one another as they serve others.
And John has the most detailed account of Jesus after his resurrection. Jesus does not reappear as a mysterious ghost. He is fully human and fully divine. He meets and interacts with his followers. He encourages them. He is seen by many.
I am always moved by the final chapter of John. The disciple Peter has returned to fishing for a living – he is back to being a common man. Jesus appears on the shore, and convinces Peter who he is by blessing him with another miraculous catch of fish. Peter had denied even knowing Jesus three times after his arrest. Jesus reinstates Peter to the church. And Peter is told that he has things to do – he will be led to far away lands, will spread Christ’s message, and will be, one day, led to where he does not want to go. He will indeed not be a fisherman, but a fisher of men – just as Jesus promised when they first met.
The Gospel of John is a rich account of Jesus’ time on earth. It’s easy to read and understand. And its only 21 chapters. At 15 minutes a day, you could read it in three weeks.
If you haven’t read your bible in awhile, I suggest that John is an excellent place to start.
Chris Conley
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