John 21:24-25
This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
How do you conclude a book about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ? How do you sum up all that He said and did? John identifies himself in the final verses of his book to testify that what he wrote is completely true. It was the last of the four gospels to be written and unlike the other three, it focuses more on who Jesus IS rather than what he DID. It is as simple as it is profound, which has led many to say, “The Gospel of John is shallow enough for a child to wade in it, but deep enough for an elephant to swim in it.”
Wading or Swimming?
We have walked through this amazing Gospel in 140 steps—today being the 141st—but there is so much depth yet to be explored and enjoyed. Whether you or I take another swim in its comforting waters is up to us, but it is a luxury that is always there for the taking. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). When we read it—we are reading Him. When we spend time in it—we are spending time with Him. When it teaches us or comforts us or convicts us—it is Him that is doing that work. With a pool like this, why choose to wade when you can swim?
“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did.”
John walked with him and talked with him for three solid years, yet he knew he was incapable of capturing every single detail…every word…every action. By the time he wrote this gospel, the movement was growing daily and under the power of the Holy Spirit would eventually circle the globe. So, John’s words were accurate back then, but even more accurate today! It’s beyond our mental capacity to be able to see and understand all that the LORD has done, is doing, and will do throughout the ages. One of the most widely spread Tweets in 2012 was, “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” Now multiply that by the hundreds of millions of Believers alive today and you begin to get John’s point. Wow.
As a former radio show host and current teacher with Noble U, it should be obvious that I love to talk, but I also love to listen (which may surprise some of you). My dad raised us to be filled with what he called “Restless Curiosity”. When my siblings and I were teenagers, none of our friends could get away with a simple “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Noble” when they came to our home. My dad would always launch into a friendly inquisition…not because he was worried about our choice of friends…but because he was genuinely interested in their lives. When I put that into a Heavenly context, I get excited about the fact that we will be able to learn more and more about what Jesus did through the years…not just from the Gospel writers or the first disciples…but from every single Christian who has ever lived.
I’m sure John is enjoying his swim in THAT pool. Will you?
