Our Premise Robert Capon: “John omits a number of important events in Jesus’ life, but he deals with their import or ramifications in other ways and contexts. … Accordingly, my own disposition when I find something ‘missing’ from John is to look for the place (or places) where he works it in under another guise.” Robert Capon: “John omits a number of important events in Jesus’ life, but he deals with their import or ramifications in other ways and contexts. … Accordingly, my own disposition when I find something ‘missing’ from John is to look for the place (or places) where he works it in under another guise.” This series will look at four examples of John’s themes in Matthew’s stories and Matthew’s themes in John’s stories. This series will look at four examples of John’s themes in Matthew’s stories and Matthew’s themes in John’s stories.

The Beginning Where does the story begin? In the beginning … Beyond the scope of mortal time (John 1:1-5). Beyond the scope of mortal time (John 1:1-5). In Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king (Matthew 2:1). In Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king (Matthew 2:1). John’s beginning calls us to look to the grand picture of God’s light breaking into the world. John’s beginning calls us to look to the grand picture of God’s light breaking into the world. Matthew’s beginning tells us to remember that God’s light took the form of a child born in Bethlehem. Matthew’s beginning tells us to remember that God’s light took the form of a child born in Bethlehem.

Witness of the Light God would call our attention to the light by … Sending a messenger to bear witness (John 1:6-8). Sending a messenger to bear witness (John 1:6-8). Sending a star to light the way to Israel (Matthew 2:1-2). Sending a star to light the way to Israel (Matthew 2:1-2). Sending His Word to point to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:3-6). Sending His Word to point to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:3-6). Both Matthew and John tell us that God in many ways points us to the true light. Both Matthew and John tell us that God in many ways points us to the true light. How many pointers are there in your life? How many pointers are there in your life?

Light of the World Would the world see this light? John tells us that the light was appearing to the whole world (John 1:9). John tells us that the light was appearing to the whole world (John 1:9). Matthew tells us that it was a light in the sky brought Gentile wise men to Jesus (Matthew 2:9-12). Matthew tells us that it was a light in the sky brought Gentile wise men to Jesus (Matthew 2:9-12). John tells us that the light would not be seen by his own people (John 1:10-11). John tells us that the light would not be seen by his own people (John 1:10-11). Matthew tells us that while the wise searched to praise, the powerful of Judea searched to kill (Matthew 2:12-18). Matthew tells us that while the wise searched to praise, the powerful of Judea searched to kill (Matthew 2:12-18).

The Light Made Flesh What would become of this light? Matthew tells us that he would survive the schemes of Herod to grow up in a backwater town called Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). Matthew tells us that he would survive the schemes of Herod to grow up in a backwater town called Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). John tells us that he saw that light, grown into a man full of grace and truth (John 1:14-18). John tells us that he saw that light, grown into a man full of grace and truth (John 1:14-18). And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16