Scripture: John 21:25
Jesus did many other things as well. If all of them were recorded, I imagine the world itself wouldn’t have enough room for the scrolls that would be written.
Thought for the Day: This is how the Gospel of John concludes. I love the image of there not being enough room for all the scrolls. Though on a very practical and literal level, I think there is enough room for all the scrolls that depict the life of Jesus as he lived only 33 years or so. An extensive biography would be lengthy, but not pushing the storage capacity of the earth. Where I think it would be more of a challenge is when we begin to think about all the different experiences and life-changing stories that came as a result of Jesus. The number of beautiful stories throughout the centuries, many of them never written down or remembered beyond a generation, is simply beyond the capacity to imagine. Try to wrap your mind around all the little acts of kindness and compassion; the small gestures of generosity; the unheralded work of mercy and love. These are the simple people who loved Jesus and tried, to the best of their ability, to make real the unconditional love of God. I cannot imagine there is enough room on earth to store all those stories, yet they are not really stories that require a written record. You and I are the record, and how we live our lives is an indication of how well those stories were etched upon our humanity.
Prayer: My life is an indication, O Lord, of how well your story of love has been told to me. At the same time, I take responsibility for how well I have chosen the story of Jesus over the plethora of other stories that do not encourage love or mercy or kindness. Keep me focused on Jesus. Amen.
