The New Testament Book of John is such an important and helpful book for our understanding of Jesus Christ. We are so thankful to have it in our Bibles. It is different from the other three accounts of the life of Christ (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Those three Bible books are referred to by the scholars as “synoptic,” which means SEEING TOGETHER. It seems that Matthew was writing primarily with a Jewish audience in mind; Mark wrote to those of a Roman heritage; Luke to people with a Gentile background. We have created a 155-page study guide to aid in the study of this great book. You can reach it by clicking here: 4300sg.Combo
The Book of John seems fitting to all people. In the 1999 Annual Denton Lectures, Darrell Conley very capably summarizes the Book of John by describing briefly the nine miracles John records…
It is possible to outline and summarize the Book of John by his record of Jesus’ miracles. He does not record nearly all of the miracles that Christ did, and not as many as did Matthew, Mark, or Luke. But those that he does record are diverse and are sufficient for their purpose — to instill in us faith that Jesus is the Son of God and that so believing we might be saved eternally (John 20:30-31).
First Miracle
He writes of nine miracles Christ did as proof that He was Lord and God. The first miracle was that in Cana of Galilee — turning the water into wine (John 2:1-11). By this miracle Christ proved that He had authority over nature. And why should He not? He created all.
Second Miracle
His second miracle was the healing of the son of the nobleman or king’s officer (John 4:46-54). Even though the nobleman begged Him to come with him to Capernaum and heal his son, He would not go, but healed him at such a distance that it took the nobleman more than a day to reach home. He found his son recovered. Christ showed by this miracle that His power and authority extend everywhere.
Third miracle
The third miracle that the Book of John records is the healing of the infirm man (John 5:2-9). Even though it was the Sabbath day, and He was criticized for it, (John 5:16-18) he healed this man. He accomplished two things by this: He showed that He had authority over the Sabbath. “For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath” (Matt. 12:8). He showed that He was equal with God: “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:17-18).
Fourth Miracle
John next tells about the miraculous feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14). Multitudes had followed Jesus to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, and they had nowhere to buy food. Jesus, showing his feeling for their human needs, had them sit on the grass and, taking five loaves and two fishes, He fed 5,000 men. Afterward they gathered up of the leftover pieces twelve baskets. By this miracle Jesus shows His sympathy for the human condition and needs of mankind.
Fifth Miracle
In the next miracle in John (John 6:16-21), when the evening comes, Jesus walked on the sea in the midst of a storm to the place where the disciples were in a boat. By this miracle Jesus shows His authority and control over nature and the elements of this world.
Sixth Miracle
The whole of John 9 is taken up with the sixth miracle of Jesus, chosen by the Holy Spirit to be included in John’s account. By the public healing of this man born blind, who was known to all, he showed that He, as Lord of Heaven and earth, had authority and power over all sickness and affliction. What a contrast between this genuine miracle of Christ and fraudulent “miracles” of modern so-called healers, who “heal” things that no one can see, in their own places, and usually people that no one knows or hears from again, from places that are far away!
Seventh Miracle
The seventh miracle recorded in the Book of John is the most dramatic to this point: the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:39-44), which should not surprise us. He who gave us life to begin with, Who came to this world in order that we might have eternal life, should certainly be able to raise one from the dead. Although Lazarus had to face death again, one day the righteous shall arise from the dead to eternal life. “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29). By this miracle He showed that He had authority over life and death.
Eighth Miracle
Surely the climactic miracle of all in the Book of John is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the eighth miracle discussed by John (John 20:1-9). By this miracle Jesus proves to all unprejudiced, open-minded people, for all time, that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Ninth Miracle
The ninth miracle John records is the great catch of fish upon the command of Jesus (John 21:1-12). Although this may seem like an anti-climax considering the other miracles that John has written in his book, this miracle accomplishes a very important purpose — it identifies the risen Jesus with the One that had been with the apostles the previous three and one-half years. John recognized Him after the miracle. “That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord” (John 21:7). He is the same always: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yea and for ever” (Heb. 13:8).
