Why Would John Lie?
"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
(John 20:30-31)
I was thinking about people today who doubt concerning the reality of Jesus Christ, being the Son of God, rising from the dead, and securing a place for us in heaven, when this life is over. If we believe in Him, we can have salvation from our sins, and the promise of eternal life.
According to the Gospel of John, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is presented as a central and deeply meaningful event---not a fabrication. John's account emphasizes that Jesus is the Son of God, the source of life, and the Messiah who makes all things new. His purpose in writing, as stated in our text, was "so that you (and I) may believe that Jesus Christ, is the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
Why would John lie about such a significant event in the restoration of man-kind through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? He was there, when the tomb became empty. He and Peter, saw it for themselves.(John 20:3-10) He was there when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the upper room (John 20:19-23) John wrote of others who saw Jesus alive, such as Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) and Thomas who did not believe at first, but after seeing the Lord Jesus alive, showing the nail scars in His hands, and the scar of His wounded side (John 20:24-29) believed, and said to Jesus, "My Lord, and My God!" (John 20:28)
So what does this say to those who doubt the reality of our resurrected Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ?
I know that I along with people today, were not there to witness this miracle, and significant event for all of man-kind. But what does John say concerning all that Jesus did, in his gospel, and what could not be contained in his book? "These are written, so we might: What? "Believe!" In essence, we are to take Jesus at His Word. Jesus said to Thomas, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29)
I am sorry that for many, this isn't enough for them to place there confidence in our victorious, risen Savior, in order to have eternal life. So what hope do they have?
If they believe that this life is all there is, John's gospel, begs to differ.
But for me, I claim this promise of Acts 4:12: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
The name, and most of all the person of Jesus Christ, is our way to the Father, and all that He offers us for eternity. And read, John 14:6
Jesus is the way to the Father, the way to heaven. He is all that we need, for this life, and for the next! GP
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