May 24
Bible Reading: John 21:24-25
John 21:24-25, “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 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.”
We’ve come full circle in our devotional study through the gospel of John. We began with a focus on John’s bold declaration: “The word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory” (John 1:14). The gospel account unveils to us the truth of what John and his fellow disciples witnessed. They beheld the glory of Jesus—in His character, miracles, words, and death and resurrection! John testified that Jesus’ works were so numerous that if every one of them were to be written, “the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). John saw these things for himself and wrote His gospel that others might see and “and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:30-31).
John wrote, “and we know his testimony is true.” The response of John and his friends to what they saw and heard in Jesus was to devote themselves to the faithful service of Jesus for the rest of their lives. All but John suffered martyrdom, though John himself endured persecution (Revelation 1:9). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they turned the world upside down through their fearless witness to Jesus Christ (Acts 17:6). Jesus changes lives!
John recorded a mere fraction of all that Jesus did. Written two millennia ago, God only knows how many have read John’s inspired account and believed unto salvation. Jesus has the power to save and transform lives. He did that in the lives of his apostles. He has done that innumerable times since. And He’s done that for you. The Apostles beheld the glory of Jesus. It is the Spirit who works through the Word to do the same for us. The Scriptures declare the glory of Jesus! We do well to read with our eyes wide open, so that by the Spirit we might behold that which John and his friends saw in the flesh.
“The Bible is the portrait of Jesus Christ.” – John Stott
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
To God be the glory, great things he has done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
and give him the glory, great things he has done!
Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
but purer and higher and greater will be
Our joy and our wonder, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 