Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” Therefore this saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”
John 21:20-25
This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his witness is true.
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written one after the other, I suppose that even the world itself *could not contain the books that would be written.
Introduction
As John finalizes his testimony, he gives us some final words regarding his fellow apostles and his own word. It is here that John reveals in no uncertain words that he is the disciple who wrote this gospel account, and it is here that he introduces the fact that the apostles needed to come together to solidify their understanding.
Jesus did not choose only one apostle. Neither did He choose millions. Instead, He chose twelve to go out and bring His word to the world. These twelve were united with each other. Not because they had the same opinion about everything, because they did not (Galatians 2:11), but because of their shared conviction regarding the person, Jesus of Nazareth. He was not simply another man, but instead was God come to man in the form of man, putting on flesh, living, teaching, and then dying for the sake of His people. He rose on the third day, demonstrating His power over death, and His ability to deliver anyone from death who would believe in Him.
This shared faith in Christ held the apostles together even amidst disagreement. A key disagreement arose in Acts 15, when the subject of gentile converts was brought forward for discussion. The apostles were not in unity as to whether those gentiles needed to first become converted Jews before they could find salvation in Christ or not. But coming together and witnessing the power of God before them, they agreed that gentiles had no obligation to convert to Judaism first, as God had already spoken by performing signs and wonders through these very converts.
Even a misunderstanding
Another disagreement that arose among the apostles had to do with one of these final statements of Christ. After telling Peter how his life would play out and ultimately end, Peter asks about John’s. Jesus responds to him that if He wishes for John to remain until He comes, that is no business of Peter or the other apostles.
What is meant by this is expressed simply in the words of the Law: “The secret things belong to Yahweh our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29) What the Lord chooses to do is what He chooses to do. It is not for us to know all the details of His working or His plans. What is for us is what He has revealed so that we might do it.
What He has revealed is here in this gospel that John has written. It is in all the gospels and in the epistles that make up the volume which we call “The New Testament.” He has told us to tell people the news of His coming: that they might know Him and have life (Matthew 28:18-20). Telling others of the good news we call the gospel is the mission of the Church. It is your mission and mine.
A reliable witness
And we know the truth of this statement of faith because it is testified by multiple witnesses. The rule for establishing truth is by the mouth of two or more witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1). We have received four gospel accounts from Matthew, an apostle himself, Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, Luke, a companion of Paul, and John, also an apostle. This apostle. He is the teacher of Polycarp and the teacher of many churches in the east.
John also testified in three epistles and the final book of scripture which we call Revelation. In these books, he elaborates on the assurance we have in Christ in love (1 John 4), a warning against wolves (3 John), and a promise for the future where Jesus returns and makes all things new (Revelation 21).
There are many reasons to separate from others. But one reason to come together triumphs over all: Jesus is the Christ, God come in the flesh. He was conceived by the Holy spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into death, and on the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there, He will come to judge the living and the dead.
By this ancient confession, we can come together in love and lead others in the way to life.
May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.
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