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Jesus is the Goal of Life. John identifies Jesus as the “Word”. John is purposefully using ambiguity to cause his readers to slow down and think through what he is saying. . Jesus is the Goal of Life. Jesus is the Goal of Life.
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Jesus is the Goalof Life • John identifies Jesus as the “Word”. • John is purposefully using ambiguity to cause his readers to slow down and think through what he is saying.
Jesus is the Goalof Life • If you are trying to figure out how to live your life, what the reason for life is, and you want to be intellectually honest… you have to deal with the question, “Who is Jesus?” • John’s answer is that Jesusis the Word, “Logos”.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • The Greeks debated at a philosophical level about the meaning of life. • They sought to answer a tough question… What am I living for? What is life for? What’s the reason for life? • Their answer was the Logos.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • Until you understand the reason for life, life becomes meaningless, insignificant, or contradictory. • If you don’t understand your purpose you can never realize your potential.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • In John’s day, the philosophical schools fragmented into two different directions. • There was a consensus that there are no answers but that created a problem.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • If there are no answers – then there is no authority and there is no morality. • The Greek philosophers were left with answering how to live in a world with morality and meaning.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • Epicureans answer: • Since there are no answers then eat, drink, and be merry. • They said just live for pleasure. • Do what feels right.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • The Stoics answer: • Even though there are no answers, you should live as though there are answers. • Pretend that there is right and wrong. • Be generous, good, and moral or else life will be intolerable.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • Most people in America operate in the philosophy of the Epicureans or the Stoics. • They get real uncomfortable when you remind them that there are no real answers in their world view.
The Greek Understanding of the Word “Logos” • John’s answer to the reason for life is the Logos. • John said the Logos is not an abstraction, it’s not a philosophy, it’s not impersonal. • The Logos is a Person – • The reason and goal for life is Jesus.
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • A Jew steeped in the Old Testament would think in a different direction than the Gentile. • Because John’s primary audience were non-believing Jews we should turn to the Old Testament for the fullest meaning of the Logos.
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • A synonym for the Word (Logos) of the LORD is: • The Angel (Messenger) of the LORD. • The OT prophets recognized one particular Messenger of the LORD who was distinct from all others.
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • Exodus 3:2-4: • And The Angel(Messenger)of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush… and Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, Godcalled to him out of the bush.
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • Exodus 23:20-23: • Behold, I send an Angel(Messenger) before you to guardyou on the way and to bringyou to the place that I have prepared. Pay carefulattention to Himand obeyHis voice; do notrebel against Him, for Hewill notpardon your transgression, for MyNameis in Him. But if you carefully obeyHisvoice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. . . . My Angel (Messenger) goes before you. . . .
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • Jude 5 • “Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe”. • Jude is teaching that Jesuswas that Messengerof the LORD.
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • The Messenger of the LORD is a synonym for the Word (Logos) of the LORD. • The Word of the LORD in the Old Testament was the divine spokesman who appeared to the saints and revealed God’s will and received worship.
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • Genesis 15:1-7: • After these things the Wordof the Lordcame to Abram in a vision… And He[the Word of the Lord]brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” … And He[the Word of the Lord]said to him, “I am the LORD[YHWH]who brought you out from Ur…”
The Jewish Understanding of the Word “Logos” • John, in identifying Jesus as the Word (Logos) was not capitulating to Greek Philosophy. He was being a good Old Testament student. • John recognized in Jesus the appearance of the one whom the prophets met repeatedly and called “the Wordof God”, the Divine MessengerWho was withGodand also wasGod.
Jesus is the Guideof Life: • Jesus is not simply the One you are seeking, He is the One who guides you to Himself with His truth. • Jesus reveals truth on how to live in light of Who He is.
Jesus is the Guideof Life: • God the Father commanded us to listen to the Son • “This is Mybeloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listento Him!” Matt 17:5
Jesus is the Guideof Life: • Christianity is not mystical, it’s a relationship based on a communication of Truth. • We must look to the Word (Logos) as our authority for living.
Jesus is the Guideof Life: • John says that Jesus is the Word (Logos) and the Author of life. • Our word “author” comes from the word authority. • Jesus is our Author and our Authority.
Jesus is the Guideof Life: • Jesus is the Word (Logos) who is the personal God who reveals truth by speaking to you in His Word. • Jesus is the Goal and Guide for life. Follow Him!
