You Can Know You Have Eternal Life
#43 – God’s Standard for Mankind (27)
Omission points to Inspiration (1)
by Jim Mettenbrink

[printable PDF of article]
[review previous article][advance to next article]

     The apostle John was only one of two (Matthew) of the twelve disciples, who wrote an account of the life of Christ.  John was one of Jesus' inner circle – Peter, James and John.  Interestingly, John never named himself in the Gospel of John (except in the list of disciples), but referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (New Testament, John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20).  Apparently he was the closest to Jesus.  Considering all four gospels, we see that John was with Jesus constantly – an eye witness in all respects.  The inner three had the distinct privilege of witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus (NT, Matthew 17:2-13).  Jesus' face shined like the sun and His clothes became white as light.  Moses and Elijah, having departed this earth a millenium earlier, appeared and had a conversation with Jesus.  But John, the only eyewitness gospel writer, never wrote one word of this event!  Why did he, being so close to Jesus, omit it?
     On the night before He was crucified, Jesus having eaten the Passover meal with His disciples, went with the eleven disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Peter, James and John accompanied Jesus to a more secluded part of the garden.  Jesus prayed agonizingly about the cross that awaited Him in just a few hours.  His sorrow and deep distress are marked by sweating drops of blood (Luke 22:44).  A modern day witness would have written every graphic detail of Jesus' pleading with the Father about the salvation of mankind, yet John, an eyewitness never mentions the event.  How could a man be so close to Jesus and omit this most important hour, especially since John was the only disciple to give the most detailed account of Jesus teaching and prayer after the Passover meal just an hour or so earlier that evening (John 13-17)?
     Among the four gospel accounts are recorded three occasions when Jesus resurrected a person from the dead.  The most memorable is that of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, all friends of Jesus.  John alone records this event, noting Mary and Martha's heartbreak and anguish over Lazarus' death.  Yet Matthew, Mark and Luke, wrote not one word about this marvelous miracle.  These are only a few of the startling "blanks" in the Gospels.  How do we account for these omissions?  It can only be explained as being the design of God through divine inspiration of the gospel writers.

[review previous article][advance to next article]



      © Jim Mettenbrink; used by permission. rev.04xx-04xx
      Permission guidelines for your use of this article.
      This article’s presentation in Exploring God's Word ©2004 David G. Churchill.
      For additional quality Bible-study materials, contact your local church of Christ or access Exploring God's Word at www.exploringgodsword.co.
      Send us your Bible-related questions.