John 20:30-31 (ESV) -- Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Something I’m thinking about doing when I get older is writing a letter to my future great grandchildren. I know it is likely that I won’t meet them or they’ll be too young to remember me. That’s okay. I don’t need to be remembered, but I would like to give wisdom to them that could help them in life and honor Christ. I think it would be cool to have something from my great grandfather that was written especially for me. I’ve seen pictures of him. I know where he is buried, but I have no connection to him. He’s a person from history that I’m related to. 

But our passage today shows us an incredible thing. John, the disciple of Jesus, wrote his Gospel for us. He thought about those who he’d never meet and who would never have the privilege of seeing or meeting Jesus in person. We read at the end of his Gospel, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

We read from John that he didn’t capture everything Jesus ever did or said. But the things he did write, he wrote so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John saw Jesus crucified and raised. He heard His teachings about the kingdom of God. He watched the miracles as a first-hand eyewitness. He wants us to see and hear these things too so that we can come to the same conclusions as him. He wants us to believe and have life in His name. Eternal life is found in Christ. 

What a special thing we have in this Gospel. John thought about us as he wrote. He doesn’t pretend to have a different objective in his writing other than leading us to faith in Christ. It is faith in Christ that brings salvation and eternal life. Forgiveness of sins comes from believing in Jesus. John wants us to experience that. Read John’s words again. Jesus did so many things not written about, but the most important things have been written for us. Thank you, God, for leading John to write his Gospel for us. Thank you that through it we see the glories of Christ and have life in His name.

Reflection & Journal:
- Why does John write his Gospel?
- What things does John include in his Gospel to help us believe?
- How does this passage encourage you? 

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