Yahshua’s “I gives” in St. John’s gospel.
The gospel of St. John is very unique in many ways. Of the 21 chapters, the last 9 are an account of the crucifixion and the events leading to it. Of all the recorded miracles of Yahshua, Luke recorded the maximum of 22 miracles while John recorded only 8 miracles or signs, as he calls them. There are 7 “I ams” in John’s gospel. Similarly there are 8 “I gives” in the gospel of St. John where Yahshua gives us 8 precious promises. Let us , for a few minutes meditate on these 8 words of Yahshua Messiah.
1.The Living waters. 4:14: We are all familiar with the dialogue of Messiah with the Samaritan woman by the well. When Messiah asked her for some water to drink, she was surprised that a Jew would speak to a Samaritan woman. Messiah tells her that if she had asked Him for water, the water that He gives would never make her thirsty again. He gives us pure water,, living waters, everlasting waters, fruit giving and satisfying waters. The waters that Messiah was speaking referred to the holy spirit which the Father would give to all who asked. Messiah is talking about His teaching, His grace and the benefits which the soul enjoys when we accept Him and His gospel. These are the waters that we find in Psalm 1, Rev.22 and Ezek 47:7-12..life giving waters, healing waters, fruit giving waters…
2. The satisfying bread. 6:51… and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The bread that He gives us…his own bruised body, beneficient, real, holy, life giving. This is not the kind of bread which Israel ate in the wilderness, manna. They ate manna but were never satisfied. They all perished (John.6:49) The Jews believed that the Isralites in the wilderness had no resurrection, but Yahshua tells them that the bread of life which he give will give us eternal life.
3. Eternal life. 10:28: And I give them eternal life…In John.14:6, Messiah said,’I am the way, the truth and the life’. Messiah is life, he gives life and he is eternal. The life that he gives us is abundant life, never lacking in any good thing. Messiah gives eternal life to his people, he gives a spiritual life or a life full of grace. He gave us his life so that we may life eternally. No other man or god has given this assurance or promise.If we believe that Messiah is in us, then we understand 1John.5:11 where it is written that Elohim has given us eternal lifeand this life is in His Son.
4. A Worthy example. 13:15: For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. It was an act of hospitality among the Jews and peoples of the East that the feet of guests must be washed by servants. By washing the feet of his disciples, Messiah is telling them that they should not regard themselves as higher than others. They should have humility always, warning them against the dangers of ambition. Yahshua is an example to his people, of his grace, meekness, humility, love and patience. “Covet humble work, and when you get it be content to continue in it. There is no great rush after the lowest places, you will rob no one by seeking them.” (Spurgeon)
5. A new commandment: 13:34: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” The disciples knew the OT commandment ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’. We all love each other, family, friends, neighbors, etc. But now Messiah is calling us to go one step higher. Our love should be like the love of Messiah- strong, unfailing, unending, and sacrificing. John.15:13,’Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ It was this kind of love that we find among the early disciples. This is the kind of love that Paul tells us in Eph.5:1-2,’ And walk in love, as Messiah also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to Elohim for a sweet smelling savour. This the love through which the world will know us.
We should love our brethren even as the Father loved the Son-in humiliation, sufferings and obedience. We cannot call ourselves His disciples if we do not love one another. Brotherly love is the mark of a Christian. We should be ready to lay down our lives for our brethren.
6. My peace: 14:27: This is the legacy of a dying man, a last will or testament. This is like the Jewish custom of saying ‘Shalom’, peace be on you. Nowadays it has become an empty word, a mere formality. But here it comes from Messiah, who has the power to make peace and give it to us. He had told them not to be troubled John.14:1, and he gave reasons why they should not be troubled. He explained why he was about to leave them; promising them that he would return; he promised them that the Holy Spirit would come to comfort, teach, and guide them. By these promises he provided for their peace in the time of his departure. But this promise is also to all of us who love the Saviour.The peace which he gives is not the empty greeting of the Jews, nor as a matter of custom, but real peace which meets all the wants of the soul.
7. The given words:17:14: I have given them your doctrine. The word of the Father is the doctrine of our faith, our faith’s foundation, hope, authority, purifier…our Lord’s promise and our rules for life. The word which he gave us is the Gospel commission, and the ability to preach it in the face of all difficulties and troubles. Unfortunately many present day preachers have corrupted this pure word of Elohim and twisted it to suit their own worldly ambitions.
8. The glory: 17:22: The glory which the Father gave to the Son has been passed on to us, His children (John.1:12). The glory which we have received is the glory of Sonship, with all its privileges. He has given us an incorruptible inheritance (1 Pet.1:4). That is, the power to work miracles, and to preach unadulterated truth, say some; Our Lord is not here praying for the disciples, but for all those who should believe on him through their word. He is saying: “I have communicated to all those who believe, or shall believe in me, the glorious privilege of becoming sons of God; that, being all adopted children of the same Father, they may abide in peace, love, and unity.”(Adam Clark).
