PGA Chaplain Bible Studies
Study 43 November 17th to 23rd 2008.
Reading – John Chapter 21:20-25.
The end of a never ending story?
“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that could be written” (John Chapter 21: verses 25 New International Version).
All sporting careers come to an end. The Australian cricket team is feeling the effects of the retirements of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilcrest in particular. In golf we have had the emotional farewells of Jack Nicholas and Arnold Palmer from the US Masters in recent years.
And we have our own farewells. Retirement and shifting house are some of the most exciting and also can sometimes be stressful. “Äll good things come to an end” apply to sporting careers, work and living. An ending can be difficult when we have investing our worth from the things we do rather than from who we are and who we belong to. One of my favourite sayings is “Why invest your life in something you can lose tomorrow”. I have found that it is only God is the one who is unlosable
We have come to the end of John’s record of the life of Jesus. The ending of the gospel of John is very similar to the ending of Chapter 20. The last chapter 21 is clearly a later insertion to the end in Chapter 20 that gathers in a number of related themes of interest.
Our reading reminds us that our author is selective of the things he wrote about concerning Jesus life. It reminds you of a game of golf where you may have 70, 80 90 or 100 shots, but a number of stroke stand out and define your round. In talking about your round you inevitably refer to significant moments and decisions or shots while forgetting the many others that also made up your round. We inevitably remember the missed shots rather than the great one’s we played.
For John he wrote his gospel to a certain audience that is uncertain, but from Chapter 20 he stated clearly his aim in writing this biography of Jesus’ life.
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples that 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.”
What fills me with great hope is that while many things come to an end like our work, our families, our golf and even life itself, the resurrection of Jesus gives us hope of life beyond the grave. I see many who live for such things as their work, golf, families and enjoyment. But a greater and lasting purpose lies in our relationship with God that Jesus makes possible. With Jesus there is never an end, but rather a new beginning that starts when we believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God and continues on into eternity.
Why settle for second best when Jesus is the champion of champions?
Almighty God, We are grateful for Jesus who alone secures our life and assures us that life is a series of new beginnings rather than an ending. Amen. |
