Christian Studies

A Light Overview Of the Beginning of The Book Of John

Rev. Pablo (Eric) Sanchez

The Gospel According To John, the last of the four gospels, is full of the rich history of a man named John the Baptist, of the origin of the Apostles, and many of the miracles of Jesus.

          The telling begins with an explanation of the Word, and "the light of the world", where John states "life was the light"… that nothing happened or began without it. John tells of the man, also named John, who was a witness of the light, and came to testify-- to establish faith among the people. He was questioned by the Jewish Pharisaic Priests, who were sent to identify him, where he stated that he was not Elijah, but that was the "voice crying from the wilderness", imploring others to straighten the way for the coming of the Lord.

Soon after, the arrival of Jesus the messiah allowed John to herald the arrival of the Son of God. Soon afterwards, he finds among the followers Simon and Phillip. They then join Him in His journey, along with Nathaniel. Shortly afterwards, He comes across a wedding in Cana, where He produces the first of miracles among His new followers by turning water into wine. During the Passover, while with His mother, and family, He over turned the moneychangers in the temple, admonishing them not to turn His Father's House into a house of merchandise. He said "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." He was not only referring to the temple, but of Himself, and his soon to come sacrifice for humanity. He preached and spoke with many, including the Pharisee Nicodemus, whom He told that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whomever believes in Him will have everlasting life." He then continued to Judea, and continued baptizing many, and preaching the word of His Father.

John, while baptizing in Enon, rose into dispute among his students. It was there that he said "no one on earth can receive a single thing beyond what is given them from the sky."  He further testified as to the reality of Jesus.

The Messiah performed many more miracles and wonders on his journey. The Gospel is rich with the history of Jesus and John. It is a necessary read upon your own journey into the light of God's word and promises to His believers. I found it to be very enlightening. I would suggest that others who give it a read will do the same, and will strengthen their belief in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Rev. Eric Pablo Sanchez

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Why I became ordained

The most powerful of what grievances I hold against myself is my past failure to come to terms with my severe mental illness.  The problem I found in discussing this with another is that they do not fully comprehend the damage  I have created in others lives, most importantly in my wife and children's lives.  I have come to terms with my mental illness, yet I am unable to shake the self deprication over it. If nothing else, from the experiences of my life, I have developed an innate sense of  how to approach a fellow mentally ill person.  I have a strong level of sensitivity, and empathy for those who are struggling with diseases of the mind. I also have found myself able to help a fellow travelers to shed the cloak of shame,  isolation and denegration that our society lays upon those who have been effectively branded with the with the label of mental illness. These and other experiences are difficult to another convey as it was this time.  I am told either that mental illness is a farce or that people like me appear to be quite fine.  As usual, the person I shared with came across with that I seem to be a better person for it, which is true.  Yet they just do not seem to be able to connect beyond that unless they themselves or a family member are so challenged. the last lesson I have learned is that there must first be hope, for without hope the process of healing cannot and will not begin. I have a simple prayer that I say every night.   Grandfather, give me the strength to travel another day's journey, show me the path to follow and the strength to do your works. Amen Rev. James