“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)
Here, John provides the purpose statement for his book: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (31). John clearly thought his selection of signs was sufficient for the reader to believe and have life. That’s a powerful statement, particularly considering that in this same chapter he preserves Thomas’s words: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” John 20:25).
John is not dismissing such demands. Rather, he is emphasizing Jesus’s response to Thomas’s post-inspection belief: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). This emphasis on believing based on testimony rather than physical experience will be essential once Jesus ascends. In fact, even before Jesus ascended, the number of people who could be in Jesus’s presence was limited. Most had to depend on a testimony.
According to Jesus, we have sufficient reason to believe even if we have not personally seen and touched his wounds.
Father, thank you for preserving John’s collection of signs. And, for sending someone to me to testify. Amen.
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