In the following article you will find a brief commentary on John 3 and 4 that goes along with our Riverside Church Two Year Bible Reading Plan (Volume 1 & Volume 2). This plan will allow you to read the New Testament and Psalms once every year and the Old Testament once every two years.
Two Great Encounters
We are now getting into the heart of the Gospel of John. It is filled with depth and takes us repeatedly to the theme that eternal life is found in Jesus Christ. For John, it is about more than just the quantity of life, but also about quality, or fullness, of life.
We see that theme wonderfully taught in these two engagements in chapters 3 & 4. Nicodemus provides us occasion for what is perhaps the most famous verse in the entire bible. John 3:16 summarizes the basic message of the gospel, of the bible. And the lessons leading up to this summarizing declaration are worthy of hours of meditation – insights into regeneration and conversion, the sovereignty and election of God in choosing sinners, the work of the Holy Spirit, and more!
In chapter 4 we are moved by the conversion of a woman trapped in a cycle of poor relational choices. In the process, we find significant instruction about worship. It goes well with our Old Testament readings paralleling these chapters. The tabernacle represented something and that is our topic for tomorrow! The precious woman of chapter 4 walks into this reality and hears from Jesus himself important truths about the tabernacle, the temple(s) and about the people of God who worship God in spirit and truth. Stay tuned!
