PGA Chaplain Bible Studies
Study 40 October 27th to November 2nd 2008.
Reading – John Chapter 20:29 to 31.
What Purpose?
“Jesus did man other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”(John Chapter 20: verses 24 to 25 New International Version).
One of the differences in applying the rules of golf is in the purpose we have of playing the game. At the highest level of golf where people are playing for their career and large amounts of prize-money, you cannot bend the rules in any way, otherwise it would be impossible to manage or be fair. Likewise in local competitions and pennant play, we need to obey the rules. However, when we play the game for fun and/or are introducing someone new to golf, then the rules have limited value at this stage.
In many ways it boils down to the purpose you are playing golf or, for fun or serious. Most things hopefully that we do have a purpose, to do something without purpose is usually not doing much.
When it comes to the 4 records of the life of Christ in the bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John there are clearly different reasons or purposes for writing each account. One is short in length, the other 3 much longer. The 4 books are not a straight historical record of the life of Jesus nor cover the same material anymore than 4 reporters writing on a football match would say or give the same detail. We would expect some common material and we would expect the individual writer to show his own unique style and slant on the contest.
The same is true for John who wrote the account of Jesus’ life we have been studying. In our reading today John tells us the reason for his writing. I encourage you to read again the above verses and to see his purpose in writing of the life of Jesus. People have all kinds of opinions about Jesus, but to respect our author we must decide whether we agree with his passionate summary of the life of Jesus. Jesus is far more than a nice person that we can admire or dismiss.
Of central concern for John is that his readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. As John hints at; there are many things he could have written about with the life of Jesus; I wish he could have kept writing. But everything he wrote centres round his desire that we might believe, ie accept what he wrote about Jesus as true.
Through believing in Jesus, we receive life his name. This word life is loaded with meaning from the teaching of Jesus. This life gives us a peace and purpose for our present life. Jesus reminds us that he has overcome death and dealt with our sins. The life he gives means that we never die again but have eternal life. We may feel unworthy of such a gift, but that is what it is; an undeserved amazing gift.
I encourage you if you have never accepted Jesus as the Christ, (means anointed by God), now is a good time to do so. You will never regret it. Then drop into a church on the weekend and give thanks to God and then walk in his ways.
Prayer. Great and mighty God, I hear your voice through John, who wrote his record of Jesus’ life so that we might accept Jesus who came to give us new life. I now let go and give you control of my life. Amen.
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