John 20:30-31
That You May Believe
Read the passage
30Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
31But these are written 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.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
John tells us why he has written about Jesus' signs. There were many more, performed in the disciples' presence, than this book records. The ones included have been chosen to lead the reader to believe.
He tells us what that belief concerns: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Christ means Messiah, God's promised anointed King. The signs help us recognize who Jesus is. Belief is directed toward Him, and through believing we have life in His name.
This helps us read the stories we have heard. When Jesus gave sight to a man born blind, the question reached beyond how a healing happened to who Jesus was. When He raised Lazarus, He revealed Himself as the resurrection and the life. The signs call us to trust the person who performs them.
John has written for people who were not there to see these things. His purpose includes the person reading aloud today and those listening. The testimony invites each of us to receive life through the Son of God.
Questions
1 Has John recorded every sign Jesus performed?
AnswerNo. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book.
2 What does John want readers to believe about Jesus?
AnswerHe wants them to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
3 What does John say we receive through believing?
AnswerThrough believing, we have life in Jesus' name. The written signs point us to Him as the source of that life.
4 What has a sign in John's Gospel helped you understand about Jesus?
AnswerFor example, raising Lazarus shows His power over death and helps us hear His promise of life. Choose a sign you remember and explain what it reveals about Him.
What This Means for Us
A memorable Bible story can stay with us for years. John's purpose helps us ask what we remember it for. The signs reveal the Son of God and invite us to trust Him.
Return to a sign your family has read. Ask what it shows about Jesus, then speak to Him in prayer about what you have learned. His compassion may lead you to bring Him a need; His power over death may help you entrust a fear to Him.
We do not need to turn every reading into a new project. Believing in Jesus and receiving His life are the purpose John names. Let the time you spend in this Gospel keep drawing your attention to Him.
Prayer
Jesus, the Christ and Son of God, thank You for the life You give. As we read the testimony about You, help us recognize You more clearly and trust You more fully. Amen.