April 10, 2026 | Be Connected
John's Gospel and the Life of Jesus
Scripture: John 21:20-25(NIV)
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Devotional
John finishes his gospel with Jesus talking about John! His gospel was written 25-30 years after Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote theirs, and as many as 60 years after Jesus ascended to heaven. By the time he wrote down his “Life of Jesus” account, all the other disciples had been martyred in far away countries. Christianity was spreading. Persecution of Christians was increasing. The need for clarity about Jesus was critical.
At the end of chapter 20, John wrote, “But these [miracles and signs of Jesus] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” The Gospels are not just a story. They are life-changing and life-giving!
And here, at the end of chapter 21, John wrote, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” The Gospels are only the tip of the iceberg. So much more took place in His own life. Most of the New Testament is about what took place after He ascended into heaven. And Jesus is still working in the world today through His people!
Take a few moments to reflect on the Gospel of John. What is a takeaway from these episodes?
John 1 – The call of Jesus’ disciples
John 2 – Jesus turned water into wine
John 3 – Jesus met with Nicodemus at night
John 4 – Jesus met with the Samaritan woman at the well
John 6 – Jesus fed 5000 and walked on water
John 8 – Jesus forgave an adulterous woman
John 9 – Jesus healed a man born blind
John 11 – Jesus raised Lazarus
John 13 – Jesus washed his disciples’ feet
John 15 – Jesus taught about the vine and branches
John 19 – Jesus was crucified
John 20 – Jesus rose from the dead
