Meeting Jesus in John’s Gospel
Meeting Jesus Changes Everything
There’s something about John’s Gospel that has been a go-to text for anyone wanting to find out who Jesus is. Although the theology is rich, it’s the people who make the account so accessible for those who are just exploring Christianity.
John shows us the ordinary people, caught in the middle of ordinary life, who crossed paths with Jesus. Then they walked away completely changed. That’s what meeting Jesus in John’s Gospel looks like, and it’s what my new book expands upon.
It Started as a Sermon Series
Meeting Jesus started as a sermon series back in 2018, something I worked through with my congregation in Whitehorse. I pulled it back out in 2024, and what started as a collection of sermons slowly became something bigger.
After a full year of editing, rewriting, and rethinking, back and forth with the publisher. The final manuscript was accepted at the end of 2025, and it’s set to launch on March 10, 2026.
Although I preach on Biblical texts every week, I don’t typically write books in this space. Most of what I produce is focused on leadership. But this project felt different from the start.
I wanted to write something for anyone who has met Jesus, or might meet Him for the first time. Something you could read alone on a quiet morning or work through with a small group. A practical commentary and study guide that stays close to the text and actually helps people.
What John Recorded
John’s Gospel is full of moments where Jesus stops and gives someone his full attention. Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the blind man, and Lazarus. These are intentional accounts of Jesus crossing every boundary, cultural, social, and religious, to reach ordinary people in the middle of ordinary life.
John 20:31 says it plainly: “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
He left no one unchanged. That’s the thread running through every encounter, and it’s the thread running through every chapter of this book.
Meeting Jesus in John’s Gospel
Each chapter walks through one of these encounters, staying close to the text and drawing out what it means for us today. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are designed to move you from reading about Jesus to actually meeting Jesus in John’s Gospel.
A few leaders I respect received an advance copy and had some encouraging things to say.
Barton Priebe, President, Northwest College and Seminary
“Jeremy Norton has written a compelling look at the life-changing encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel. What I love about this book is how he makes biblical characters like skeptical Nathanael and doubting Thomas feel like people we know today… Whether you’re leading a small group or growing in your own faith, this book will both challenge and encourage.”
Keith Allan Shields, Coach and Author, KeithShields.ca
“Jeremy Norton offers us a book that is part history lesson and part theological encounter with Jesus. It captures the mystery and radical love of Jesus Who crossed every social and spiritual boundary to offer people a new identity. This book could certainly be used as a Bible study that allows people to move beyond knowing about Jesus to truly meeting Him.“
Steven Jones, National President, FEB Canada
“Jeremy Norton’s new book, Meeting Jesus, is an accessible and inspirational offering on the massive transformation a genuine encounter with Jesus can make on ordinary people. He gives wonderful examples of this among some notable Biblical characters. A practical book with an eye to discipling God’s people toward Christ-like living. I encourage you to get this new book.”
It’s Almost Here
Meeting Jesus launches March 10, 2026. The paperback is $14.99 USD and the Kindle edition is $9.99. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon or check out the full book feature at Ambassador International. Links are below.
If you know someone who’s been asking hard questions about faith, wrestling with who Jesus really is, or looking for a solid small group resource, please pass this along. More info to come in the days ahead after launch.
Join the Conversation: Answer This Question
- Which encounter with Jesus in John’s Gospel has impacted you the most, and why?
