The first five chapters of John's Gospel give exciting accounts of individual conversion experiences. Jesus begins His public ministry after baptism by John the Baptist. Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael become His disciples. At first Nathanael expresses disbelief that anything good (as the Messiah) could come out of Nazareth. Then he actually meets Jesus, and within the context of a brief conversation, he exclaims, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel!"
In Chapter 2 Jesus performs His first miracle--changing water to wine--at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Those who are serving the water/wine (and know that it was originally water) have an opportunity to think about who Jesus really is and to come to faith in Him.
In Chapter 3 Nicodemus, a man hardly thought to be a candidate for conversion (because he is a pharisee, a member of a group that is hostile to Jesus) has an encounter with the Lord that brings him to truth and salvation.
In Chapter 4, Jesus goes to Samaria, a place and a people hated by the Jews, and He brings salvation to an entire city. Then He returns to Cana and brings salvation to a nobleman and his household.
In Chapter 5, Jesus brings salvation (and physical healing) to a man who has been incapacitated and hopeless for 38 years.
In Chapter 5, Jesus brings salvation (and physical healing) to a man who has been incapacitated and hopeless for 38 years.
In these first five chapters, John tells his audience by example that Jesus saves the rich and honorable (Nicodemus and the nobleman), the working class (fishermen), the poor (lame man), the dishonorable (Samaritan woman); the skeptic (Nathanael), the ultra religious (a pharisee), and the foreigner (Samarians). Is there any class or category that Jesus will not save? No! So why art thou cast down, O my soul?...hope thou in God (Psalm 42:11). And Believer, be reinvigorated to pray for that lost one!
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