The doctrines of Christ are emphasized throughout the Gospel of John. In describing the life of Christ, John makes comparisons with the pieces of furniture in the tabernacle of Moses. Note the similarities between the language of Moses and John:

1. Moses describes the brazen altar (Exodus 27:1-8, 38:1-7). John describes the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
2. Moses speaks of the brazen laver (Exodus 30:18, 38:8). John speaks of the water of life (John 4:14).
3. Moses writes of the table of shewbread (Exodus 25:23-30; 37:10-16). John writes of the bread of life (John 6:35).
4. Moses talks of the lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40; 37:17-24). John talks of the light of the world (John 9:5).
5. Moses presents the altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-10; 37:25-28). John presents the great prayer of Christ (John 17).
6. Moses witnesses of the mercy seat (Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9). John witnesses of our mercy seat, Christ (1 John 2:2).

Side Notes on the Life of Christ
In Old Testament times the people would bring their most perfect lambs (the ones without spot or blemish) to the temple to give to the priests to offer as sacrifice for the atonement of their sins. Christ was the perfect Lamb of God who gave His life as a sacrifice for the atonement of the sins of the world.

“. . . Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” – John 1:29

Water is a very necessary substance for the sustaining of life. Where there is water, there exists the possibility of life. Where there is no water, there exists very little possibility of life. Christ is the Living Water and where there is Living Water, there is definitely life – and not just an ordinary life, but life eternal.

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up in everlasting life.” – John 4:14

Christ was born in the city of Bethlehem. The word Bethlehem is made up of two Hebrew words – Beth, the word for bread and lehem, the word for house. So literally translated, Bethlehem means “house of bread.” It is interesting to note that He who was born in the house of bread would proclaim to the world that He is indeed the bread of life.

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. “ – John 6:35

Christ said:

“. . .I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” – John 8:12

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:5

Then He says to us His disciples:

“Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Food For Thought:

“No mortal being had the power or capability to redeem all other mortals from their lost and fallen condition, nor could any other voluntarily forfeit his life and thereby bring to pass a universal resurrection for all other mortals.
Only Jesus was able and willing to accomplish such a redeeming act of love.
We may never understand nor comprehend in mortality how He accomplished what He did, but we must not fail to understand why He did what He did.
Everything He did was prompted by His unselfish, infinite love for us.”
-- Ezra Taft Benson (Ensign, November 1983, p.6)