“There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” —John 21:25
Jesus was purposely busy, ever focused on His Father’s business, ever doing His Father’s will. John’s ending verse of his gospel is reminiscent of something Jesus said earlier:
“He told them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I too am working.’” — John 5:17
John ended his preceding chapter using similar words to those of our verse for today:
“Now Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” — John 20:30–31
The records of the works of Jesus are not exhaustive (to say the least); we have just a sampling of His accomplishments. Here, John reminds us of all the marvelous things that the Lord Jesus accomplished. All that Christ said and did when His feet walked upon this dusty earth was noteworthy. He never spoke an idle word. He never performed an idle work. He never said or did anything insignificant. Sweet Jesus, from everlasting to everlasting, holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens, an amazing Savior, an amazing Lord. He truly is beyond our imagination.
“This is He who is appointed and given to us by God the Father, as the fullness of all grace and truth, as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, as the ladder and door of heaven, as the serpent lifted up to render the poison of sin harmless, as the water which refreshes the thirsty, as the bread of life, as the light of the world, as the redeemer of God’s children, as the shepherd and door of the sheep, as the resurrection and the life, as the corn of wheat which springs up into much fruit, as the conqueror of the prince of this world, as the way, the truth, and the life, as the true vine, and finally, as the redemption, salvation, satisfaction, and righteousness of all the faithful in all the world, throughout all ages. Let us therefore pray God the Father, that, being taught by His Gospel, we may know Him that is true, and believe in Him in whom alone is salvation; and that, believing, we may feel God living in us in this world, and in the world to come may enjoy His eternal and most blessed fellowship.” —Bullinger’s Commentary on the Gospels
Christ’s miracles were vast, varied, and intentional. Some of His miracles were repetitious, with differing audiences, producing an array of witnesses, and giving even more proof and credibility to Him. I am reminded of the words penned by the prophet Isaiah:
“Remember this, so you can be brave! Think about it, you rebels! Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me, who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire.’” —Isaiah 46:8–10
What was divinely inspired to be included in the Gospels was exactly what God desires to be included—each incident included for the benefit of all humankind. We would be no more helped or improved or increased in belief if more of our Lord’s actions had been recorded. There is enough presented for the conviction of sin and the guidance of all who are honestly seeking genuine salvation and direction.
Become More
“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16–17
Further Reflections
“For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience, they are not the better for having heard the truth.” —A.W. Tozer
“Secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those that are revealed belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we might obey all the words of this law.” —Deuteronomy 29:29