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. (Jn. 21:25, ESV)
As most of you know, this past Lord’s Day I finished preaching through the Gospel of John, after about 7 ½ years, and some 215 sermons. All praise to God alone! I will undoubtedly be doing some occasional sermons from John here and there – I’m actually set to preach from Jn. 13:34,35 on March 11, with a message entitled “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” But I’m planning to begin preaching through the book of First Peter in the very near future, which I’m eagerly and soberly anticipating.
One of the things I mentioned in last Sunday’s sermon was that while we have finished the exposition of John’s Gospel, we have only just begun to comprehend and digest the greatness of God’s glory in Jesus Christ therein revealed. With that in mind, here are a couple of choice observations about John’s final words in Jn. 21:25, for your encouragement:
“Not only ought we to take into account the number of Christ’s works, but we ought also to consider their importance and magnitude. The majesty of Christ, which by its infinity swallowed up, if I may so speak, not only the senses of men, but heaven and earth, gave a miraculous display of its own splendor in those works. If the Evangelist, casting his eyes on that brightness, exclaims in astonishment, that even the whole world could not contain a full narrative, ought we to wonder at it? (John Calvin, Commentary on Jn. 21:25)
“It is fitting for us to bring our study of the Gospel to a close with the reminder of the limitations of our knowledge. It is well for us to be appreciative of the knowledge we have and to show a due gratitude to God for what he has revealed. But we should not exaggerate. Our knowledge of the truth is at best partial. The reader who appreciates the significance of these final words is kept humble.” (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, Eerdmans Publishing Company: 1995, pg. 777)
Striving by His grace to Behold, Believe, and Behave faithfully with you!