Shelf After Shelf

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:24-25 ESV). Have you ever been to a really big library or bookstore? Mary and I love a good bookstore. It is not terribly unusual for us to go to the Barnes and Noble in nearby Cool Springs just to browse. Our tastes differ, but reading is a common love. This bookstore is one of the larger ones in the area. However, it’s not the largest I’ve ever visited. One in Chicago had nine stories of books! After reading this morning’s passage, I began to think about a library as big as the world to contain all the things Jesus has done. It boggles the mind! John closes his Gospel account with the disclaimer that this is not all that happened. The account John presents to us is a taste or a sampling of the teaching, miracles and travels of Jesus. The items that are presented are enough to make the mind reel at the possibilities. John is stressing a point that the world would not contain the books that would be written about the details of Jesus. Even though Jesus is the most written about person in history, my nine-story bookstore wouldn’t be able to hold all those books. It makes it difficult to focus clearly. Matthew helps a bit: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV). It might take another nine stories of books to describe the idea of total authority in heaven and earth. Jesus holds the title deed to planet earth. We see it in the seven seals that are broken from the scroll in the Revelation. Even though the enemy would have us believe that he is the authority here, it is just another lie. That kind of total authority in human history has been devastating from the Khans to the Caesars to the Czars to Hitler. Life becomes cheap and values are crushed and twisted. Jesus authority is extended FOR us, not against us. If we are willing to accept that authority, it becomes our hiding place, our safe haven. Shelf after shelf could be filled with books describing the security we have through the authority of Jesus on our behalf. What a thought! Today think about how Jesus’ victory over death is yours also. No matter how bad things may seem He really is with you always, even until the world ends!