John Ch. 20 recounts Jesus’ resurrection and post-resurrection appearances, which reaches a crescendo when the previously doubting Thomas is finally able to see the resurrected Jesus with his own eyes — the very one who had been crucified and laid in a tomb. Now Thomas is able to proclaim his beautiful confession of faith, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
It is after this that the author John pauses to say in his gospel account, “This is why I wrote this book — so that you may believe and confess Jesus is Lord, just like this.” The purpose of the book of John is the same as all of the books in the Bible: “… 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.” (20:31)
John includes many of the signs and teachings of Jesus throughout his account, but he only includes certain ones. Matthew, Mark, and Luke include others that John does not, but even those do not include every last detail of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. Just like if you were to write a biography about your father, you would not include everything you know about him but would focus on the crucial parts that can communicate an important theme or life lessons. It would not do your readers any good to fill chapter upon chapter with daily logs of his meals, clothing, and every muttering. So, the gospel writers and all biblical authors were selective in the details included. So, we should pay close attention to which details Scripture includes and why they are there!
There are probably many times when you wish you knew more than what the Bible includes. We will all have specific questions we look forward to inquiring about that are not revealed to us now. Yet, as fascinating as our curiosities may be, the essentials are provided. If certain information is not found in the Bible, it is not crucial for salvation.
The most important thing is that you know what is contained in the Bible and that it is for you to know God’s will, which is most clearly seen through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ — the promised Messiah who was born, lived, died and rose again to save his people from their sins and grant eternal life in God’s presence.
The Bible as a whole shows the need for this salvation, how God accomplished it, and how to now live in light of this great work of salvation. Regarding knowing what you need to learn about God’s saving acts through Jesus Christ, you have everything you need for eternal life in one of the most easily accessible and widely available books: the Bible.
Will you receive and trust this testimony? God graciously offers you eternal life through His Son, who “… came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b)