John

This book is entirely different from the first three. Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptics) view Jesus from the earth up, but John views Jesus from heaven down. He begins not with a manger, but with eternity: "In the beginning was the Word." There are no parables here; instead, we find long, philosophical discourses and seven "I AM" statements (e.g., "I am the Bread of Life").

John invites us into a deep, personal understanding of who Jesus is. The Gospels tell us what Jesus did while he was on earth, but the story does not end with his ascension; it continues through his followers in the book of Acts.