Convergence - Missed Connections Series

Convergence - Missed Connections Series

Exploring the Timeless Presence of Jesus in John's Gospel

Today's Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, likely delivered by Matthew Vander Els, delves into the unique perspective offered by the Gospel of John regarding the identity and presence of Jesus Christ. The central theme explored is the idea of convergence, where John intentionally blends the narrative of Jesus with the history and scriptures of the Old Testament, revealing Jesus not merely as a figure who appeared 2000 years ago, but as one who has been ever-present throughout all of time. This teaching emphasizes that John's Gospel, part of the "Missed Connections" series, aims to uncover the often-overlooked links between the New Testament and the Hebrew Bible.

One of the key aspects highlighted is John's distinct approach compared to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). While the Synoptic Gospels share a similar overall account of Jesus' life and ministry, John intentionally portrays events with a different emphasis and sometimes a different chronology. A prime example is the account of Jesus cleansing the temple. Matthew, Mark, and Luke place this event towards the end of Jesus' ministry, but John positions it at the very beginning, in chapter 2. This deliberate placement, it is argued, is not a chronological error but a theological statement. John wants to immediately establish Jesus as the fulfillment of the Temple of God, the place where heaven and earth meet. This interpretation is further supported by John's reference to Psalm 69:9, "Zeal for your house has consumed me," which John presents with a future tense, prophetically pointing towards Jesus' crucifixion and exaltation.

The teaching stresses that John is less concerned with providing a strict chronological record of Jesus' ministry and more focused on presenting a narrative with a specific theological point. From the outset, John asserts Jesus' divinity, kingship, role in creation, and pre-existence. This is evident in the opening verses of John 1, which declare, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Unlike Matthew and Luke, John does not offer a genealogy of Jesus, emphasizing instead his timeless existence.

The teaching explores how John subtly weaves in allusions to key figures and stories from the Old Testament, assuming a certain familiarity with these narratives on the part of his audience. Examples include references to Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, David, and Jacob. When Jesus states, "'Before Abraham was, I am,'" John highlights Jesus' pre-existence and divine nature. Similarly, John notes that Isaiah "saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him," connecting Old Testament prophecy directly to Jesus' present reality, suggesting a transcendence of linear time.

The encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in John 4 is another example of John's intentional storytelling. While the well mentioned is not the historically accurate well from Genesis 29, John uses the familiar imagery of Jacob and the well to draw parallels and suggest Jesus as the metaphorical bridegroom offering "living water" to a reconstituted people of God, symbolized by the Samaritans. This illustrates God's love extending beyond traditional boundaries.

Regarding Moses, John presents Jesus as far greater than Moses. While acknowledging Moses as the giver of the Torah and the one who lifted up the bronze snake, John portrays Jesus metaphorically as the bronze serpent and the bread from heaven, emphasizing his superior role as the source of salvation and life. The single reference to David in John 7, concerning the Messiah coming from Bethlehem, is mentioned without explicit explanation, again presupposing the reader's knowledge of Old Testament prophecy. The speaker argues that John's omission of detailed Old Testament narratives is not due to a lack of interest but rather a deliberate choice to keep Jesus at the forefront, with the Old Testament serving as a backdrop that constantly points to him.

The ultimate message of John's Gospel, according to this teaching, is that Jesus has always been present and his power and identity are not limited by time. This understanding has profound implications for believers today, calling them to recognize Jesus' ever-presence in their own lives and to live as ambassadors of Christ in the world. As ambassadors, believers are called to represent Jesus in all aspects of their lives, allowing others to see and experience his presence through their words and actions. The distractions of the world, such as financial anxieties or political divisions, should not overshadow this primary mission of reflecting the kingdom of God.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize Jesus' Constant Presence: Cultivate an awareness that Jesus is not just a historical figure but is present with you in every moment and situation.
• Embrace Your Role as an Ambassador: Understand that your life is a representation of Jesus to the world. Your actions, words, and attitudes should reflect his love, mercy, and justice.
• Prioritize God's Kingdom: Avoid getting overly consumed by worldly distractions like financial trends or political turmoil, and instead focus on your eternal mission of representing Christ's kingdom.
• Study the Scriptures with a Convergent Lens: When reading the Bible, look for the connections between the Old and New Testaments and how they point to Jesus.
• Engage with Your Community as an Embassy of God's Kingdom: Foster an environment of love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy within your faith community and beyond.
• Pray for God's Kingdom to Come: Regularly pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, recognizing your role in bringing that reality to fruition.
• Examine Your Loyalty and Allegiance: Regularly assess whether your life truly reflects your belief in Jesus' ever-presence and your allegiance to his kingdom.

References

Bible Verses

• John 1:1
• John 1:14
• John 2:13
• John 2:17
• John 3:29
• John 4:6
• John 4:11
• John 7:40-44
• Psalm 69:9
• Micah 5:2

Books and Resources

• The Echoes of the Scriptures in the Gospels by Dr. Richard Hayes
• Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson

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