Meaning of Christ's Life and Mission

Jesus in the Book of John: Creation, Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension

Introduction

The Gospel of John provides an in-depth account of Jesus's journey, touching on everything from creation (John 1:1) to life, death, resurrection, and ascension (John 3:13, 6:62, 14:2-3, 16:5). John’s Gospel shows Jesus as both divine and human, describing the duality of His nature and His important role as the Savior of mankind. This paper examines Jesus as the Beginning and the End, by exploring the elements of His journey as presented in the Gospel of John, so as to see more clearly His identity and mission. The thesis of this paper is that through Jesus's creation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, John illustrates the divinity and humanity of Jesus and His ultimate role as the Savior—in short, Jesus as the Beginning and the End of life for us.

What Does It Mean?

What does it mean to be both the beginning and the end? This mystery is wrapped up in God’s eternality. God has no beginning and no end—yet Jesus is God and is also the Beginning and the End, which is His title in the Book of Revelation (also written by John): “I am the alpha and the omega” (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13).  He is the End because union with Him is the goal of every Christian. He is the Beginning because as John states in the Gospel, “In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the Word as well as the Alpha and the Omega. Man was created to be with God, and Jesus is the Savior who makes that possible after the fall of mankind.

Creation

In the Book of John, Jesus's role in creation is expressed in the Prologue (John 1:1-18), which is unique to John's gospel. Here, Jesus is identified as the 'Word' or the 'Logos' - the divine principle of reason that governs the universe. Köstenberger (2004) explains that the concept of 'Logos' was familiar to both Greek philosophy and Jewish wisdom tradition. By using this term, John creates a bridge between different cultures, effectively communicating the divine role of Jesus to all peoples.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This passage emphasizes the eternality and the divinity of Jesus, affirming His existence prior to creation and His oneness with God. As the 'Word,' Jesus is not a mere instrument of God's creative action but rather the active agent through whom creation happened. This thought is further reinforced in John 1:3, where it is stated that "all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." The phrase "all things" here includes the entire cosmos, thereby attributing the origin of everything that exists to Jesus.

Morris (1995) suggests that these verses set the stage for understanding Jesus's role in the narrative of salvation. By placing Jesus at the very beginning, as part of the divine, John presents Jesus as one with God, not just a prophet or a teacher. This divine role in creation underscores Jesus's authority, for He is not just part of the created order but its originator. This concept is foundational for understanding His power over life and death, His ability to offer eternal life, and His ultimate sacrifice for humanity's salvation. Thus, the divine role of Jesus in creation, as illustrated in the Book of John, provides the basis for comprehending His mission and identity throughout His life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Life and Death

Jesus's life as portrayed in John is a testament to His divine identity and mission. The miracle at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-11), was His first public miracle, revealing His divine power. Jesus also presents Himself as the ‘Light of the world’ (John 8:12), emphasizing His divine authority and guidance. His teachings and interactions with people around Him reflect His compassion and love, embodying His humanity and showcasing the kingdom of God on earth.

The crucifixion of Jesus, described in John 19, also marks a significant phase of His mission. Jesus's death on the cross was not a defeat but a deliberate act of sacrificial love. Jesus said, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:18). His crucifixion demonstrates the extreme lengths to which God was willing to go to reconcile humanity to Himself. It underscores the depth of divine love and the cost of human salvation.

Resurrection and Ascension

John’s account of Jesus's resurrection is filled with instances that confirm His victory over death. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb (John 20:11-18) and later to His disciples, displaying His wounds to a doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29). The resurrection of Jesus is a crucial affirmation of His divinity and the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life.

While the ascension is not explicitly detailed in the Book of John, Jesus's discussion with Mary Magdalene post-resurrection hints at it: "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17). The ascension signifies the completion of Jesus's earthly mission and His exaltation in heaven.

The Beginning and the End

The concept of Jesus being the beginning and the end is rooted in the Book of Revelation, where Jesus declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" (Revelation 22:13). Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing Jesus's eternal existence and His sovereignty over time and history. Though these specific words are not found in the Gospel of John, the same sentiment is conveyed in a multitude of ways throughout the book.

The idea of Jesus as the "beginning" is elaborated in the opening of John’s Gospel, where Jesus is described Word that was present in the beginning with God, which means that Jesus was present as the Word at the beginning of creation. He was part of the Divine Trinity, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, which breathed life into the world.

The concept of Jesus as the "end" is more nuanced. In her book, O'Day (1995) interprets the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as the completion of His mission on earth. The "end" here does not signify a termination but rather the fulfilment of Jesus's divine purpose. The resurrection narrative in John 20 affirms that Jesus conquered death, providing a path for humanity to attain eternal life. His ascension marks the end of His earthly mission, as Jesus returns to His rightful place in the heavenly realm, promising to send the Holy Spirit as a guide for His followers.