Can you explain John 21:25?
This interesting and informative verse gives us a glimpse into the countless great works the Lord Jesus did while He dwelt among us. The Apostle John had written previously in John 20:30-31, “And MANY OTHER SIGNS truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 21:25, which is the final verse of the book of John states, “And there are also MANY OTHER THINGS which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”
This is a grand expression that John uses, letting us know that the Lord Jesus did much, much more that what is written in his Gospel. However, under the inspiration of the Lord, John told us all we need to know so that we might “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
To that, let me add that we should be thankful to the Lord for all that He has given us about the Lord Jesus Christ. There is more given to us than we could ever fully comprehend while living in the world. If only we would spend more time studying the life of Christ, pouring over the Word, comparing scripture with scripture. We would learn so much, our hearts would be drawn to Him even more, our testimonies would be more sure and consistent. Let us, each one, heed the words of Christ in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures…they are they which testify of me.”
I will also give one word of caution. Let us be careful to limit our knowledge of the Lord’s actions and teachings to what we have in the holy Word of God. There are so many ‘other’ sources that claim to have some information about the Lord. We cannot rely on these writings, many of which are contrary to what we have in the scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 assures us that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Thank the Lord, we have the scriptures, the Word of God! May we learn it and rely upon it to teach us all we need to know about the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but AS IT IS IN TRUTH, THE WORD OF GOD, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” May we ourselves receive this holy book as the true WORD OF GOD, the one and ONLY inspired book from the Lord to us! (215.8)