Jesus Did, Like, A Lot of Stuff
And here's why.
John 20:30-31 | Psalm 138
It makes one wonder, doesn’t it? Just what were the other miraculous signs John is referring to? It could be the miracles the other gospels mention that John does not (there are many). Or it could be even more.
One thing is for sure: John has carefully selected which miraculous signs did get included in this gospel, seven of them:
Turning Water Into Wine
Healing the Nobleman's Son
Healing the Man at the Pool
Feeding of the 5,000
Walking on Water
Healing a Man Born Blind
Resurrecting Lazarus
Some say Christ’s own resurrection is the eighth. This actually makes sense since it seems John is intent on noting a new creation, a new creation week, which begins on the eighth day (“the first day of the week”).
But as always, John’s point isn’t even about the signs themselves. Remember, a sign is nothing in and of itself except that it points toward something else. In John’s case, it’s who the signs point to and why: “I’ve told you about these things so you, too, may live a full life by believing according to them.”
It would seem John’s gospel would end here with such a clause as these. But it doesn’t. We have one more chapter.
John 20:30-31
Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
Psalm 138
I give thanks to you with all my heart, Lord.
I sing your praise before all other gods.
I bow toward your holy temple
and thank your name
for your loyal love and faithfulness
because you have made your name and word
greater than everything else.
On the day I cried out, you answered me.
You encouraged me with inner strength.
Let all the earth’s rulers give thanks to you, Lord,
when they hear what you say.
Let them sing about the Lord’s ways
because the Lord’s glory is so great!
Even though the Lord is high,
he can still see the lowly,
but God keeps his distance from the arrogant.
Whenever I am in deep trouble,
you make me live again;
you send your power against my enemies’ wrath;
you save me with your strong hand.
The Lord will do all this for my sake.
Your faithful love lasts forever, Lord!
Don’t let go of what your hands
have made.
Prayer
God,
Thank you.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.