READING: Daniel 10-12, John 20
As I write book reviews, I typically ask the questions, “Why did this author see a need to write this book? What did he or she hope to accomplish with this writing?” Sometimes the author simply wants to tell a life story to encourage others. In other cases, the goal is to teach and defend a particular doctrinal stance. Still others seek to provide practical helps for church leaders as they do day-to-day ministry. Regardless of the book, the author had a purpose in mind before he or she ever wrote.
That’s the case for the Gospel of John, too. Today’s reading takes us to the glorious picture of resurrection, followed by a loving, patient Lord who drew followers like Mary and Thomas back to Him. He graciously restored their hope—and He does the same for us today. John concludes the chapter, though, with his purpose statement for this entire book: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).
John could have included many more miracles that Jesus did, but he followed the Spirit’s leading in recording the miracles he did record. His ultimate goal was that folks would find life through Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. John sought to teach others who Jesus was, and he longed for them to believe in Him.
May God give us such a longing that we reach out to others even in the mist of COVID.
PRAYER: “Father, move in my heart so I might truly want others to believe in Jesus.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: Ezra 1-2, John 20
