d) The witness of John and his gospel (John 21:24-25)
JOHN 21:24
24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
Here we discover four important truths:
The evangelist was alive when his gospel was published, and well-known among Greek-speaking churches. He remained a disciple of Jesus from the days of the Baptist to Christ’s ascension to heaven.
John was eye-witness of Jesus Christ. He heard Jesus’ words and records them, as he also records the signs. It was not a member of the churches that wrote this gospel, but John himself as the beloved disciple.
Perhaps he was not fluent in Greek, so he dictated his lofty thoughts to one of his own followers who was a gifted linguist. The meanings are clear, and the truths unchanged. Those who circulated the gospel acknowledged with one voice that John’s witness was wholly reliable. This acknowledgement was needed, since John’s gospel differed in substance from the other three gospels. We are glad that this unique gospel from the beloved disciple is one of our treasures.
The people who published this gospel unanimously expressed the reality of Christ in their lives, and having received him, they had authority to become the children of God, believing in His name. The Holy Spirit descended on them, lived in them and enabled them to distinguish evil spirits. They recognized the truth from lies and exaggerations, having experienced the Spirit of Comfort to guide them into all truth.
JOHN 21:25
25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
Some people find the existence of four gospels a stumbling block. If we include Paul’s letters a further gospel (as he expressed it), then we have five, just as the life of a genuine Christian is a gospel in itself. The writer of John’s gospel confesses that he heard so many of the sayings and doings of Jesus from the disciples, that he was unable to gather them all. The fullness of God dwells in him. Even today he dwells in his Church and guides her as she follows in his footsteps. If we were to try to put down in writing all the works of Jesus since his resurrection up to our day, not all the volumes and tomes would suffice for the purpose. Christians will need eternity to comprehend the height, breadth, depth and length of Christ’s love at work in the history of mankind.
Our living Lord works through his word as recorded in the New Testament. We regard ourselves blessed, because we hear his voice, grasp his thoughts and follow his call. John depicts the love of Jesus Christ, so that all may confess, "We have seen his glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And of his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."
PRAYER: We thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for inspiring your servant John to write the gospel of your love. You speak to us through his words. We thank you for your compassion, your sayings, deeds, life, death and resurrection. You have revealed the Father to us and forgiven our sins. You have given us new life through your Spirit.
QUESTION:
- To what do those who issued John’s gospel testify?
QUIZ - 7
Dear reader,
send us correct answers to 20 of these 24 questions. If you have also answered the required questions of the previous six booklets of this series, we shall send you a certificate testifying to your diligence in studying the gospel of John.
- What was the relationship between Jesus and Peter during the interrogation before Annas?
- How and in what sense is Jesus a King?
- What do we learn from the picture of Jesus beaten, wearing purple and a crown of thorns?
- Why did Pilate pass judgment on Jesus?
- What is the meaning of the title placed over the cross?
- What are Jesus’ three words?
- What do we learn from the fact that Christ’s bones were unbroken?
- What does the burial of Jesus teach us?
- What are the three lines of evidence for the resurrection of Christ?
- In what did John trust while inside the empty tomb?
- Why did Mary not cease to search for the body of the Lord Jesus until he revealed himself to her calling her by name?
- What is Christ’s message on the lips of Mary Magdalene to us?
- What is the meaning of the first phrase that Jesus uttered to the disciples after the resurrection?
- Why did the disciples rejoice?
- What is strange about the sending out of the disciples?
- Who is the Holy Spirit? What does he do through your witness to Christ?
- What does Thomas’ confession imply?
- Why does Jesus call ‘blessed’ believers who have not seen him?
- What does John elaborate in the conclusion of his gospel?
- Why was the abundant catch a cause for shame to the disciples?
- What has impressed you in the conversation between Jesus and Peter?
- How did Peter glorify God?
- What do Christ’s final words in this gospel mean?
- To what do those who issued John’s gospel testify?
Do not forget to write your name and full address clearly on the quiz sheet, not only on the envelope. Send it to the following address:
Waters of Life
P.O.Box 600 513
70305 Stuttgart
Germany
Internet: www.waters-of-life.net
Internet: www.waters-of-life.org
e-mail: info@waters-of-life.net
P.S. If you like to continue studying the Bible with us, we are ready to send you another series of booklets with meditations on another book of the Bible.