Favorite Books

I have so many "favorite parts" of the bible, it's hard to pick a top ten or whatever, but the Book of John ranks right up there with any of them, for several reasons.

First, John was written by one of the disciples, a man who lived and walked with Jesus during His life and ministry. Of the other gospels, only Matthew's gospel can make the same claim. Second, John reports things that were not described in any other gospel. For example, turning water into wine isn't found anywhere else; the conversation with the Samaritan woman isn't found elsewhere; the raising of Lazarus isn't recorded in any other account! Third, and perhaps most important to me, John's gospel deals with matters spiritual more so than any other account. Since Jesus' message and ministry was all about the coming Kingdom of God, John gives us a first-hand account of what must be done to inherit the Kingdom!

John
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

In only three verses, truth is revealed that isn't spoken anywhere else! First, Jesus is "the Word" and He was in the beginning, with God and He WAS God! How do we know Jesus is "the Word?" Compare scripture with scripture! In Revelation 19, this truth is revealed:

11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.

John also tells us that Jesus created all things in the beginning and that nothing was created without him. Think about that! We know that the entire Bible is about Jesus and that, over and over, prophecy after prophecy speaks of Him, but right from the beginning (In the beginning, God said, "Let there be light.") Jesus was there creating and letting Himself be known! How do we know He was revealing himself? John 1:4! "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men." So, "Let there be light" essentially means "let there be life" and Jesus IS that life!

Is that awesome, or what?