These are written so 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 20:31
Why did John take the time to write his account of Jesus’ words and deeds? He gives us the answer in this summary statement: “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
We did not know God, but Jesus came to make Him known: “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (8:19). He says, “You are from below; I am from above” (8:23). He came to open heaven for us because we could not enter heaven on our own.
We would have died in our sin, but Jesus came to take our sins from us. He lived the perfect life. He is the only person who could ever say, “I always do the things that are pleasing to him [the Father]” (8:29). And yet, when He was “lifted up” on the cross (8:28), He bore our sins as if they were His own. Our sins were laid on Jesus and He carried them into His death, so that we would not have to carry them into ours.
John’s Gospel is all about Jesus—who He is and what He has done. Who is He? “I am the light of the world” (8:12). What has He done? He was lifted up on the cross (8:28).
Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (8:24). Think about the word unless. It means you don’t have to die in your sins. There is something you can do. You can believe that Jesus is who He says He is—the Son of God, the Light of the world, the Savior of those who trust in Him.
Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (5:24).
And when Jesus said all these things “many believed” (8:30).
Now that you too have heard what Jesus said, are you ready to believe in Him?
