The Messiah‘s death as mentioned in the Gospel written by John
John wrote to convince people that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God. So it is interesting that he includes so many references to the death of Jesus. His death is not avoided as some unfortunate martyrdom, but repeatedly presented with a distinct purpose and fulfillment.
Chapter 1 - Jesus is announced by John the Baptiser as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Lambs were daily associated with sacrifices for sin.
Chapter 2 - The Lord Himself refers to His body being a temple that would be pulled down.
Chapter 3 - In His discussion with Nicodemus, the Lord Jesus speaks of the symbol which Moses put up on a pole. This Jesus said, was the sign that He Himself would be lifted up to die.
Chapter 6 - The Lord from heaven tells the people that He was going to “give His flesh for the life of the world”.
Chapter 8 - The expression lifted up is used again. “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He”
Chapter 10 - The reference to His death is very clear and is explained.
1st – the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep
2nd - He states that his impending death would happen according to divine command. A distinct purpose was in view and beyond that, He states that He would live again after rising from the dead.
Chapter 11 - The leaders plot His death
Chapter 12 - The Lord Jesus refers on this occasion to His burial. More than just death, He verifies that He would lie in a grave. It seems like none of His followers except Mary, understood what He was saying at that time.
Then He spoke to the two Greeks who came to question Him. Instead of promoting some philosophical purpose, He told them the He must be “lifted up”. By this means He would gather many people to Himself. This explains why His mission of 33years seemed like a failure, yet after His resurrection multitudes chose to believe in Him.
From the beginning of the Bible to the end, the death of the Lord Jesus Christ is most significant. I encourage you to read through John’s writings, noting his explanations about this. (include 1 John)