Pastor's Column 5/1/22

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that could be written.”

John 21:25, NLT

First Sunday – “More To The Story!”

In our world of search engines and constant inquiry, we have developed an obsession for wanting to know every detail of events; and whatever we can find out about prominent personalities. Our advantage in ascertaining information is that we have the “tools” to access what we wish to know. In bequeathing to us the Gospel account that bears the name, John, we have preserved perhaps the most intimate accounts of the life of Jesus. John, the youngest of the disciples, is emphatic in letting us know that he “knew” Jesus. He was an eyewitness to much of what our Lord said and did. John’s account ends by letting us know that Jesus did so much good, that all He did could not be contained in one book. We know that the scriptures contain all that is necessary for us to know our Lord; but we could never exhaust the list of things He did. There is always “much more” that Jesus gave, and will add to our lives. The narratives that define our lives are “still” being written. Jeremiah said, “His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:23b, NLT). There is a scribal note in John’s account that says, “The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book (John 20:30, NLT). This wonderful end to John’s Gospel gives us pause, to realize that there is “more” to our life-story! Our Lord can do exceedingly and abundantly; more than we could ever imagine. The story does not end at the cross, it continues beyond the grave; long after Resurrection Sunday, and the Ascension of our Lord. John’s Gospel appeared nearly 60 years after the Resurrection. It was the last of the Gospels. Within its core is an invitation to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. There is another clarion call for us to realize that we have not exhausted all there is to know about what our Lord has and will do. This is the hope we have in Christ Jesus. There are much more miracles to be done!