Epilogue
John 21:24-25 This reading takes place at the end of the gospel of John, and it’s kind of wonderful.
The disciple is the one who told all of this. He wrote it, and we know he is telling the truth. Jesus did many other things. If they were all written in books, I don’t suppose there would be room enough in the whole world for all of the adventures.
So admit it–how often have you saved that last handful of popcorn for the scenes after the closing credits in a movie? The scenes that hint at the next sequel, reveal a story only mentioned in the plot? And how often have you been disappointed when there aren’t scenes after the closing credits?
Epilogues, for me, are one of the most fascinating parts of a book or movie. They are the resolution of what happens after–sometimes years down the road, sometimes immediately after. Traditionally, the epilogue doesn’t introduce anything that wasn’t hinted at in the story already, even though we (or some of the characters) may have missed those hints.
True epilogues grow out of the stories that were already there. In the gospel of John, the disciple (probably John) has told a story to his community that is passed on. But in writing the truth, we see that in all of the gospels, we only have a part of the story. Jesus’ life and ministry have so many other parts that we have never heard about. So the gospel writer leaves us with an epilogue: There is so much more to this Jesus. Keep going. Keep discovering. That word is written for all of us as we live out our lives in Jesus Christ. We’re not all perfect–but Jesus is still doing many other things in you and I and in the world today.
You and I are part of a story that spans eternity. As Christians, we are an epilogue whose elements were planted in the life of Christ, and the story never ends.
We’re going to need more popcorn.
As we munch, we can take more time to humbly share and listen to the stories that flow out of our life in Christ. As we are made in God’s image, we are given choice. What parts of the Jesus story are planted in you, and how are we living them out?
Where have we chosen to step out of the story? Here’s the good news: Jesus Christ loves it when people step back in. Have a look at Luke 15:11-32.
This week, as we celebrate Remembrance Day, as we think about elections and what comes next, as we try to figure out what next steps to take in our lives, there are a lot of stories swirling around, and it can be confusing to live in all those narratives at once, important as they are. So as we think about the epilogue in the gospel of John, be blessed by this: Jesus’ story is still being told in you and I as we seek to follow Christ. You are an intrinsic part of the “what happens after” epilogue in God’s story because Jesus loves you and gave his life for you. You are needed in this story, wanted, loved, called to be here–and all of the elements for your hope and life are already in the story God has for you. It will have joy, sadness, hope, lots of grace, a love that can conquer anything, peace, challenge and will change the world.
Peace in Christ,
Susan
Photo and content © Susan Kerr 2024. May not be reproduced or circulated without permission of the author. Artwork “Yield” © Susan Kerr 2012
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