December 11, 2023
The Complete Message Of The Gospel
“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
John 20:30-31 (NASB)
I often think about the times when Jesus spoke to His disciples which are not recorded in Scripture. He learned things about each disciple and used them to speak into their lives. Let’s face it, He knew each of them better than they knew themselves, all the way down to the smallest detail. He knew which one snored the loudest. He knew which one had the worst breath. He knew which one was the quirkiest. He knew them all. He also did things that couldn’t be recorded in Scripture because they couldn't fit into one book. There was so much more to Jesus than could be recorded. Even the miracles couldn’t be contained in one book, but it was enough.
“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book…” John recorded only what the Holy Spirit felt was important enough to record. Surely these specimens are enough to record Jesus as the Son of God. He did much more: “‘Jesus did many other miraculous signs.’ In fact, 35 different miracles are recorded in the four Gospels (see the list at John 2:1–11). John selected 7 for special consideration in order that people might come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, and the Son of God.”[1] John’s purpose was to record the gospel message, not to create a biography of Jesus’s life. “These recorded events constituted the goal and purpose for which John wrote the gospel.”[2] The message was clear, “Believe and Live.” Each person who has ever lived has this opportunity. They can accept Jesus and receive life eternal, or they can reject Him and receive life eternal in a terrible place called Hell. “; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” Foster wraps this up saying: “Why did God give miraculous signs, of which the resurrection is the climax? Why did John record them? These miraculous signs were given and recorded so that by this surface testimony, one may understand the eternal truths that lie beneath. The belief of Christians is summed up in the statement that ‘Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.’ Then the purpose of that belief is summed up: ‘By believing you may have life in his name’ (John 20:31). This is not a belief that is academic. This is not a belief that is subject to cultural tendencies. This is not a belief that has no consequences. This is a belief that is tied inextricably to eternal salvation. Those who do not believe are facing eternal death. On the other hand, the life of believers is special life as the children of God (John 1:12). Jesus came. Jesus was life, and that life was the light of men. Stop dying and live.”[3]
One day, we who know Jesus as Savior will have much more to see and learn about Him when we arrive in Heaven for eternity. We will see so much more than what we read throughout our lifetime here on Earth. What glorious days are ahead for us! I pray today if you don’t know Him personally, that you find your way into His loving arms. He is the Savior of the World.
[1] Blum, E. A. (1985). In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 344). Victor Books.
[2] (MacArthur, John, 1997). 1627.
[3] Foster, L. (1987). (p. 223). Standard.