John’s Proposition and Proof

by Terry Wane Benton

The gospel of John is very unique in that it sets forth a proposition as in a debate, and then seeks to present evidence to prove the proposition is true. The proposition is stated in the first 18 verses that Jesus was actually God with God from the beginning of creation, that Jesus made everything, and then became flesh to bring us light and life.

The proposition might seem too hard to believe, except for the fact that John uses the rest of the book to present evidence of what Jesus did (His miracles) and what He said (words with eternal promise), all of which is further confirmed by His resurrection from the dead.

The miracles were only a select few among many that Jesus performed. John said he could have written about many more of Jesus' miracles, but the ones he selected "are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name (John 20:30-31).

The nature of the miracles was widely known in those regions. No one denied that Jesus worked those miracles. Unbelievers had to try to explain them away as sorcery or Satanic power, but they could not deny the fact of those miracles. Peter said the miracles were well known (Acts 2:22).

The credibility of John's gospel was powerful and has stood the tests of time. But the miracle of Jesus' resurrection was open evidence that Jesus had power over death and Satan. While Satan managed to bring death on man, he had no power to raise man from the dead, and definitely would not have raised Jesus if he could. Thus, the empty tomb and eyewitness testimony of Jesus' resurrection proved that Jesus was no mere man. He was God come in human flesh.

John proved his proposition was true. Eternal life can truly be ours because Jesus was real and came here with a mission to save our souls if we will trust Him and obey Him. Jesus can feed our souls and heal our souls, and give us eternal life. Only a very foolish person would not want to get in on this offer. Don't be one of the foolish! Be wise! Study the evidence with a fair mind! You will be eternally glad you did!