How does John 20:31 encourage belief in Jesus as the Messiah? The Verse at a Glance John 20:31: “But 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.” Why John Put Pen to Papyrus • “These are written” points to intentional, Spirit-guided authorship (John 21:24; 2 Peter 1:21). • The signs John selects—from water turned to wine (John 2) to Lazarus raised (John 11) and the empty tomb (John 20)—form a cumulative case for Jesus’ identity. • Scripture itself becomes the divinely ordained means through which faith is awakened (Romans 10:17). Messiah and Son of God—A Two-Fold Claim • “Jesus is the Christ” (Messiah): the long-promised Anointed One of Psalm 2:2, Isaiah 9:6-7, and Daniel 7:13-14. • “Son of God”: more than a title of honor—affirmation of deity and unique relationship with the Father (John 1:34; John 5:18). • Holding both titles together guards against reducing Jesus to a mere political liberator or a purely spiritual ideal. He is fully promised Messiah and fully divine Son. Belief that Leads to Life • The goal is “that by believing you may have life in His name.” • Life (zōē) is the eternal, God-quality life promised in John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:68. • “In His name” underscores that salvation rests solely on His person and work (Acts 4:12). How the Verse Encourages Faith Today • Provides historical evidence: written testimony of eyewitness signs. • Offers theological clarity: identifies Jesus explicitly as both Christ and Son of God. • Extends a personal invitation: calls each reader to active trust, not mere admiration. • Assures a firm promise: belief results in life—present fellowship with God and future resurrection hope (John 11:25-26). Practical Takeaways for the Modern Disciple • Read the Gospel of John not just for information but for transformation; its purpose is your faith. • Anchor assurance in the written Word; God has preserved it so that belief can be certain, not speculative. • Share Christ with confidence, knowing the Spirit uses Scripture’s record of Jesus’ signs to draw hearts to saving faith. |
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