John 21:15-25, Introduction to John’s Gospel (5)

CHARACTERISTICS (continued)

Miracles of Christ:

John 20:30 notes that Jesus did many signs (or miracles) but John chose the ones in his gospel to lead men to believe.  They are...

  1.  Turning water to wine, 2:1-11.

  2.  Healing the nobleman's son, 4:43-54.

  3.  Healing the man at pool of Siloam, 5:1-15.

  4.  Feeding the 5000, 6:1-15.

  5.  Walking on the water, 6:16-24.

  6.  Healing the man born blind, 9:1-41.

  7.  Raising Lazarus, 11:1-44.

  8.  His own resurrection. 20:1-29.

  9.  The amazing catch of fish, 21:1-14 (an additional miracle to encourage the disciples to continue evangelizing).

Interviews by Christ:

John records at least 27 interviews in which Christ converses with people (individuals, groups) to bring them to the point of belief or rejection.  "The types of people whom Jesus engages in conversation were varied...Among them were fishermen, beggars, noblemen, priests, teachers, Jews and Samaritans.  A few of these, like Nicodemus, were eager to learn from Jesus; but many, like Pilate, were indifferent to His invitations." (Tenney)

Discourses:

John's gospel contains as many sermons.  Consider...

·       5:9-47: authority of Christ's words.

·       6:22-71: bread of life.

·       8:12-59: light of the world.

·       10:1-39: good shepherd.

·       12:20-50: dying grain of wheat.

·       Ch. 13-17: upper room.

·       21:15-25: recommissioning Peter.

We mentioned the special “I am” claims of Christ previously.  But there are several times Jesus refers to Himself as “I am” without any added phrase such as, “I am going where you cannot go.”  English translations usually translate, “I am He” with the “He” in italics, meaning it is not literally in the Greek.  I will give you the references so you can check them out for yourself: John 4:26 (lit. “I am, who am speaking to you”); 6:20; 8:18,24,28,58; 9:98; 13:19 and 18:5,6,8.  The Jews understood He was making a profound statement.