Isn't That Just Like Jesus?

Jesus performed many other 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 Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31 NIV)

I have been reading the Gospel of John during the past several weeks. It’s my favorite Gospel because John does such a masterful job of showing Jesus as both divine and human.  There are so many great stories that only John tells—the lonely and outcast Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), the woman accused of adultery (John 8), and Thomas’ struggle with doubt that Jesus was truly alive (John 20).  But probably my favorite story is when Jesus appears on the beach while Peter and some other disciples are out fishing on the Sea of Galilee (John 21).

The disciples have been out all night and have had no luck.  Not a single fish has been caught.  As the sun begins to rise, Jesus appears on the beach and, as if He didn’t already know, asks if they have caught any fish.  When they answered in the negative, He tells them they will find some on the right side of their boat.  And sure enough, they did—153 large ones to be exact.  We know this because the disciples were so impressed with what had happened that they counted every one! And then He offered to fix them breakfast.  Isn’t this just like Jesus, to do the miraculous and the mundane all at the same time?

When He encountered the Samaritan woman at the well, it was a normal, human encounter.  He was thirsty and asked her for a drink. But He knew all about her, her loneliness and her sins.  His gentle probing into the depths of her life led her to faith and, in turn, a whole village. Isn’t that just like Jesus to transform a sinner into an evangelist?  

And when the woman caught in adultery was paraded before Him by a host of male accusers, His focus instead was on the men.  Which of them had never sinned, He asked?  He then should be the one throwing the first stone of her execution.  As they one by one left in shame, Jesus spoke gently to the woman, reassuring her that she was not condemned, but firmly telling her she needed to change the way she was living.  Isn’t that just like Jesus, to speak the truth to both the self-righteous and the sinner?

When Thomas so firmly stated his doubts, Jesus appeared out of nowhere and told him to feel with his own hands the wounds of His crucifixion.  He then rebuked him, saying, “Stop doubting and believe.” Isn’t that just like Jesus to show up sometimes and leave no doubt?

John says he tells these stories about Jesus so that we might believe in Jesus as Messiah and the Son of God and thereby find eternal life.  He has certainly told some great ones and they have the ring of truth.  To me, they sound just like Jesus, and I certainly believe He is the Son of God and my Lord and Savior.  Today, I hope you do as well.

© Jim Musser 2016