By Doug De Graffenried
The other day I counted the words that I have created, these were either spoken words, or words like this article. In the 43 years of ministry, I have produced 15,000,000 words! You knew that preachers talked too much, now you have proof. That number includes, articles, 10 years of writing Sunday School materials, sermons, weddings, funerals, and the ever present “come speak to our group” events. I handle lots of words! The majority of those words had something to do with Jesus!
The Gospel of John (21:25) states that if everything Jesus did were written down, “I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written,” That is certainly a statement of hyperbole, right? Jesus lived 33 years on this earth. We have an extensive record of what he did during his three-year public ministry. Sounds like the gospel writer was exaggerating for effect, right?
Most scholars believe that Jesus was crucified between 27-33 A.D. There is no way of determining the exact date, but we know his life came to an end on the cross. We are also preparing to celebrate Easter. The good news that the tomb is empty because; He is risen!
Since he is risen from the dead, and now intercedes for us with the Father, since the Holy Spirit dwells in each one of us, Jesus is still “doing things” in our world and in the lives of individuals. The books would never catch up with what Jesus is doing, because He is ahead of the books.
Right now, as you read, He is working in your life. Now as you read, He offers you love and grace. In this moment, He whispers to your soul, “Follow me.” Jesus is walking the life pathway with all his children, through the Spirit. The books will never catch up with the powerful presence of Jesus in the life of the church and in the individual lives of believers.
The words of your life story are not complete, because Jesus, the Word made flesh is still working in you and through you.
Jesus keeps working in me and I share those words through writing and speaking. His Word is not finished in my life, yours either.
That is a good word!