To say that John is different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke is an understatment. Whereas the three previous Gospels have sought to tell the story of Jesus, John doesn't seek to tell the story as much as he uses the story as evidence for who Jesus is. How else could we explain the (sometimes) perplexing opening statement of John: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Within the first three chapters, John sets forth his understanding of who Jesus is and the purpose of Jesus' incarnation.
As we read in these chapters, we see a single purpose for Jesus' entrance into this world. That purpose was/is to invite and call all people into a life that this world cannot offer. All people are invited by Christ to experience a life where we become the children of God. The entrance point into this new life is simply faith that Jesus is who he says he is. In reading the first few verses of John, we see who Jesus is--he is the Word of God, the light of God, and the life of the world. Through Jesus, we have the most clear picture of God that human beings could receive. Thanks be to God for this revelation and for the faith to believe!
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