This is the disciple
who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things,
and we know that his testimony is true. 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 (John 21:24-25).
John’s Gospel ends here. The Holy Spirit
reveals that as John reflected on His time with Jesus, he was transformed from
skeptical follower into beloved disciple. Through the life and pen of the Apostle,
the Holy Spirit exhorts us imitate this devoted disciple and to be transformed
by the truth revealed in his gospel. The Spirit compels us to examine our
motives and He challenges us to embrace the truth Christ revealed and to let
that truth transform us into compassionate, caring, and confident disciples of
Christ. If we become diligent disciples after the manner of John, like Him we
will follow Christ wherever He calls us. Some of us will struggle in our walk, some
will be under relentless attack for our faith, some will experience prosperity
on earth, some will die early, some will live long, but all will be used to
advance Christ’s kingdom. The key is to understand the difference between being
a mere follower and serious disciple of Christ. Followers have many selfish
reasons for remaining in the crowd and at a distance from the Lord. Disciples follow
Christ ever more closely, embracing His truth and sharing it with the world.
Disciples like John strive to be as close to Christ as possible… “One of
his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side… So that
disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” (John
13:23-25). True disciples follow Christ whatever the cost, wherever the
location. That is what John was now willing to do, after following Christ for
more than three years. That is what his gospel now challenges us to do. Truly
this is the gospel that transforms us.
How long have you been following Christ now?
Have you been hiding in the crowd of Christ followers? Has reading this humble devotional
work made you aware that you have not been following Christ at all? Are you
ready to respond to the truth revealed in this gospel by taking a step of faith
away from the crowd and closer to Christ? The first step is to pray and tell Him
that you believe He paid for your sins when He died on the cross… “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Then tell Him you
want to step closer to receive Him as your Savior and Lord… “But to all
who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God” (John 1:12). Jesus promises to hear your prayer and
let you know that you are now His child by placing His Spirit in your heart… “And
because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,
‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6). If you continue to follow Christ
closely, His Spirit will go to work helping you to become more like Him every
day… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). John’s
gospel reveals that the Holy Spirit transforms diligent disciples into the
image of Christ in three ways:
The Spirit helps us to know and follow Christ
more closely… “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from
the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear
witness about me” (John 15:26).
The Spirit reveals and compels us to embrace Christ’s
truth more earnestly… “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you
into all the truth” (John 16:13).
The Spirit works in and through us to transform
our lives into something that brings glory to Christ… “He will glorify
me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14),
fulfilling Jesus’ desire that His disciples reflect His glory to the world… “All
mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them” (John 17:10).
As we grow up into Christ followers become
beloved disciples like John by embracing the truth of…
The Gospel that Transforms Us.
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