John 21:25

Image by Carol Belleau from Pinterest.

Year 5 - Day 158: Today, I am grateful for John 21:25.

"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." John 21:25

This Bible journaling image is by Carol Belleau from Pinterest. I think I may use it for inspiration. This scripture fascinates me. It always has. 

What? There are stories of wonder and miracles from Jesus' hand that no one bothered to write down? Really?  

In this day of easy and accessible writing materials and tools, that seems preposterous. Back in the time Jesus walked the earth, there were no Dollar Spots at Target or the Dollar Tree. Papyrus and other writing tools were expensive and frankly, some could not read. Books were something of great value. 

The books and letters found in the New Testament were painstakingly copied and shared. Paul needed an assistant, likely due to his unnamed diagnosis. John... love this guy... he loved to write and share his up close and personal observations of Jesus. He needed to write it down... like a fire in his soul. 

Then, at the end of the gospel of John, he writes this: "I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."  "I suppose..." John was not one to "suppose". He knew who Jesus was because he was up close and personal. He was in the inner circle of Jesus ministry. 

A writer's driven to write, but at some point, the book has to come to end in order for it to be shared. John has stories and intimate observations of Jesus, his life, his compassion and his miracles. He saw Jesus tired. He saw him happy. He heard him pray. He saw him exhausted. He held Mary as her son was crucified. He witnessed him after the resurrection. He saw the transfiguration. He saw the ascension. He was there. 

John is referred to as "the beloved". It was John that Jesus commissioned to care for his mother in her deep sorrow at the cross. Jesus had siblings, but it was John that Jesus trusted to show compassion to his grieving mother. John had a way with words... and silence. He generated love. Initially, introduced to us as one of the "sons of thunder", grace had transformed him into someone very uniquely suited to carry on the message of Christ. 

One Biblical scholar suggested that John and his brother, James" were like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. I would cast John as John Wayne. He would listen more than he spoke, but if he had something to say, you had better listen. Men of action and decision. Intelligent, strong and perhaps a little intimidating... but compassionate, loyal and they made those around them feel safe. Under the rugged exterior was brains and a tender heart.

John's gospel fills us in on things that the other gospels... Matthew, Mark and Luke... did not record, as he was the only one able to give the first hand account or the others missed something significant and important that we would need to know 2000 years later. 

I am sure that the Holy Spirit guided his heart, his mind and his hand as he penned the book of John. He isn't perfect, but he is devoted to Christ and the good news of redemption through Jesus.  

"I suppose" is not a phrase often used... as it lends itself to uncertainty and the Bible is a book of faith and promises that are true and sure. John uses it only once. 

Jesus time on earth was short, but his impact still changes lives today. We still feel the ripples of his love, mercy, sacrifice, miracles, resurrection, grace and hope. We don't have to "suppose". 

Jesus is the real deal! He is who he claims to be... and he still says, "Come, follow me." 

Today, I am grateful for John 21:25.