What an odd way
to end a story, particularly this one.
In a sense I can’t help but feel that John, the author of this Gospel
narrative, wants to clarify this point beyond the shadow of a doubt. He wants to establish Jesus’ humanity as well
as Jesus’ divinity. Let me explain.
Why is it
important to John that Jesus be seen as a red-blooded human? One reason would certainly be because by the
time he sits down to pen this inspired treatise, the concept that Jesus was not
truly man was making the rounds (Read 1 John 4:13). A number of early church heresies grew out of
this belief. John stated earlier in this
Gospel that The Word (Jesus) became flesh and lived among us. He is One of us. He is One like us. He is One with us.
Beyond that John
seems determined to clarify that Jesus does not need anyone to vouch for
him. He is who he claims he is. The proof that he is totally human will come
when He lays down his life and dies a very human death. That will prove that he is a man like
us. But just as certainly his resurrection
three days later will be his proof of authority over all things. Certainly his death proves his humanity, but
it is his resurrection that confirms his divinity. Jesus knows who he is and what he is called
to do. And yet he moved on. He is The Man! There is strength in the confidence of knowing
my standing with God. I want to grow in that assurance. I want to walk boldly knowing that my every
step in guided by God’s Spirit. I have so far to go!
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