The Indescribable, Uncontainable Jesus

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25 NIV)

John was called “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” At the last supper, he laid his head on Jesus’ breast. John was closer to Jesus than any of the other disciples. He and Jesus shared a special, intimate bond.

Later, when Judas betrayed Jesus and all the others fled and hid, John stayed with Him. He continued to follow Jesus to His trials before the High Priest and Pilot . . . and finally, to a lonely hill where Jesus was crucified. As Jesus suffered and died, Jesus looked at John and asked him to take care of His mother, Mary. And John cared for her until her death.

When John was old, he wrote a book about his experiences with Jesus. At the end of this book, John confessed that he was unable to fully describe this amazing savior. It was impossible. Words failed. They were totally inadequate. In his gospel, John did all he could to share his experiences, relying on the precious Holy Spirit to make up the difference. But encountering Jesus was simply beyond the power of any person to describe. Even the most eloquent and capable author could only scratch the surface. Using all his powers and skills, the result would still fall short, and remain only a shadow of who Jesus is.

So, John ends his gospel with this statement:

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. ” (John 21:25 NIV)

Though John knew Jesus more intimately than any of the others, he realized that he’d experienced only a small fraction of all that Jesus was, and that even that small part was more than he could ever convey to others.

Knowing this, John explains to us that the purpose of his gospel was simply to make a brief introduction. In the same way that Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, it is as if John were taking his audience by the hand and bringing them to Jesus and making a simple introduction: “This is Jesus, the anointed King of the World, the Holy Son of God.”

“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; BUT THESE HAVE BEEN WRITTEN SO THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME.” (John 20:30-31 NIV)

The rest is up to you. What will you do now that you’ve met Him? Will you be like those who meet Jesus then politely nod and walk away? Will you leave Him, never really experiencing the depths of this amazing Jesus whose thoughts and actions could fill the world?

Or will you be like Peter and the other disciples, who saw beyond the physical and see in Jesus something greater and more wonderful than they have ever experienced before? They were so taken with Jesus, that they left everything to follow Him.

Let the Holy Spirit reveal to you this amazing, indescribable, uncontainable Son of God, through whom God made everything that was created. He is the center of all things. In Him alone is life and truth.

Leave everything else behind and follow Jesus. You will never regret it. Make up your mind to hang around Him and let His life fill you, a life that defies the grave. Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by His grace and love.