by D. S. Parrack (England)
Of the four gospels the first three are classified by academics and theologians as synoptic, i.e. presenting a common point of view. This leaves the fourth gospel in a class of its own, which, without being either academics or theologians, we might feel is fully justified on the basis of the spiritual depths which John plumbs. The very opening words show the pathway along which the apostle means to lead us. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God — and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,” Jn.1.1-14.
Why though did John write in this particular vein, stretching our understanding beyond human limits by his concentration on the eternal Person of the Son of God?
Well, he himself says that though he could have written much more “These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” That was his declared purpose in writing, to present the Lord Jesus in such a way that we would realise who He really was. And that was the result that such a realisation would achieve? “That believing ye might have life through His name,” see Jn.20.31. So, deep and difficult to comprehend as John’s gospel may be, its very purpose is to concentrate our vision on the Lord Jesus Himself, and there are many situations, many needs that arise, when the only remedy is the conscious knowledge of just who it is to whom we have committed ourselves, see 2Tim.1.12, and, much more than that, who is totally committed to us, see Jn.17.19. That is not knowledge in the usually accepted sense of the word, it is knowing Him as a living Person, which, as He Himself said, is the essence of eternal life, see Jn.17.3.
Your problem may be, that though you do believe that you have eternal life, you do not currently feel very much in the good of it. Then get back to its very source. Which is where? “This life is in His (God’s) Son,” 1Jn.5.11, and John’s gospel is one place where you can cultivate that closeness, which is why it was written.
John though, being a realist, as we all need to be, did not just see things as how he would like them to be, nor even perhaps how they ought to have been, he saw them as they actually were. So, not content just to leave those early believers to make progress as best they could, he continued to write to them. We have in the Scriptures three of those letters which he wrote to people who, like us, came into the circle of those for whom the Lord Jesus prayed, “Them also which shall believe on Me through their (the apostle’s) word,” Jn.17.20, and again he tells us why he wrote the way he did.
Early in his first letter he says, “These things write we unto you that your joy may be full,” Jn.1.4. By these words John showed that his aims ran parallel with those of the Lord Jesus Himself who said “These things have I spoken unto you that My joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full,” Jn.15.11. The big difference between the two is that the Lord Jesus shows us the origin and source of that joy, it was “My joy,” and joy on that level cannot be equated with anything which is available from elsewhere. Are we told of specific things that brought joy to the heart of the Lord Jesus? If we can ascertain something of that we will know what we are being invited to share.
Well, the Hebrews' writer, conscious of some of the problems which his readers had faced, and were still facing, encourages them to “run with patience the race that is set before us.” That though doesn’t seem to have much to do with joy, rather of stoical perseverance. What impetus had they to enable a response to such a challenge? “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God,” Heb.12.1-2. So His joy was not affected by the extremes of suffering through which he was passing, He could see beyond those horrendous happenings to a time, when being vindicated he would, “see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied,” Isa.53.11. That is, He would see the full outcome of his work and consider it all worthwhile.
Jude has somewhat the same view of things. He speaks of “Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,” Jd.24. Whose “exceeding joy” is he referring to though, the presenter or those being presented? Using the words of the hymn writer, it is suggested both.
He and I in that bright glory,
One deep joy shall share.
Mine to be forever with Him,
His that I am there.
Are you conscious of a lack of real joy in your present experience, of a lack of evidence of joy amongst those whose Christian living you are endeavouring to encourage? John wanted to deal with problems like that. Speaking of the Lord Jesus whom he had known as a Man in this world, he records, “Which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled — that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ,” 1Jn.1.1-3. Don’t you think that the reality of a fellowship like that would cause you to radiate joy? I hope so, says the apostle, that’s why I am writing to you as I am, (see again 1.4).
John though is still not finished. It is easy to talk, or write, about joy, but if there is one sure way of losing our joy it is by allowing doubts to creep into our minds and so into our hearts. Oh, you may say, I don’t have doubts, I am an established believer. That may well have been how John’s first readers felt, nonetheless, towards the end of his letter he tells them another of his aims in writing. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God,” so he had no doubts as to the genuineness of their faith, but he goes on, “that ye may know that ye have eternal life,” Jn.5.13.
How then can we, as believers, be absolutely sure, confident without a shadow of doubt, as to the total security and inviability of our salvation? Only by accepting the promises and guarantees of God’s written Word and John, by his letters, was providing a part of that. God has made it very clear that He wants, and expects us, to rely on what He has said. The Hebrews' writer shows how God has gone out of His way to justify our confidence. Not only has He given categoric assurances, which are in themselves totally adequate, He has gone beyond that. “God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by oath. That by two immutable things,” a positive statement and its affirmation by a sworn oath, “in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope set before us,” Heb.1.17-18.
“Consolation” here, carries the meaning of encouragement, and encouragement is what we need more than anything else when we are a little unsure of things, and that is just what the Word of God provides. It was what John’s letter was particularly intended to provide, that is why he continues “and that ye may believe,” i.e. carry on still doing so, “on the name of the Son of God,” 1Jn.5.13. Nothing will give us greater assurance than consciousness of the utter dependability of the Person on whom we are relying, in whom we are trusting.
Don’t despise feelings. Those who don’t have much of them, or at least don’t show them, may sometimes seem a little cold or aloof. But don’t rely on them either, they can be very fickle, causing unjustified elation or unwarranted gloom. God’s Word though is as solid as a rock and as unmoveable. But never forget that it is not just enough to know about that rock. The Lord Jesus spoke of “a man which built — digged deep — laid the foundation,” and it was that man’s house which could not be shaken “for it was founded upon a rock,” see Lk.6.48. Rely on the Word of God because it is His Word, see “My Word,” Isa.55.11, Jn.5.24, and show your reliance on it by your obedience to it. That will not necessarily stop doubts arising at times of particular pressure but it will give you the answers as and when they do arise.
—to be continued (D.V.)