Word to the Wise
Saturday, June 8, 2019 - 7th Week of Easter - Sat morning
[Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 and John 21:20-25]There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. [John]
These words are the second conclusion to the Gospel According to John! The first one says, "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."
I consider each of the four gospels to be a separate preaching by separate author(s). Each author(s) had a portrait of Jesus in mind and told the story according to that portrait, using whatever materials the disciples retained from their experience of Jesus, working under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel According to John was the last of the four to be put into writing. It does not have a lot of parables and only a few "signs" for us to use. But its portrait of Jesus, announced in the Prologue is wonderful, "And the Word was made flesh and dwelled among us." The message is simple. Jesus is the one whom God has sent. If we believe in him, we experience eternal life. The Spirit he has given us will help us to remember all that he has taught. Tomorrow, we will celebrate that gift of the Spirit. AMEN