Telling the Truth
Opening Prayer
God who loves me, thank You for coming to earth to experience humanity. Open my heart to hear You today.
Read John 21:20–25
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25 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 would be written.
New International Version (NIV)
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Reflect
If time allows, read chapters 18–21 and note again how vivid, detailed and true-to- life the story is.Just when we thought everything had been resolved, the old Peter pops up again. Seeing John following, he can’t resist a question: “Lord, what about him?” What indeed. Let’s end this week’s reflections with the beloved disciple who has been our guide over the last fortnight.
Throughout the feverish activity of these four chapters, John has been a perceptive presence. He helps Peter gain access to the trial of Jesus, he stands with the women at the foot of the cross, he comes to the tomb and believes, and it is he who recognizes Jesus on the shore. Peter is action man, but John discerns and understands. Action is important, but discernment comes first, turning random movement into purposeful journeying.
Finally, consider John’s insistent testimony. It comes at the beginning of his Gospel (1:7) and here at the end (24). The story of our redemption is not an idle tale, but historical fact. John tells a fraction of the story (note the delightful final verse!), but he tells the truth about what he saw so that others might believe and enter the life Jesus died to give.
Apply
As modern-day disciples can we follow John’s example so that we too can be instrumental in leading people to believe and live?
Closing prayer
God, give me the strength to tell the truth about Jesus, sharing my place in his story.
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