Matthew 28:20 — … teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:20 — And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Luke 24:53 — … and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
John 21:25 — And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Today is the last day of 2014. A time to look back and forward, a time — maybe — to consider beginnings and endings. If you haven’t got actual beginnings and endings, perhaps it’s a time — at least — to consider hitting the rest button on a few things.
These thoughts came into my mind when we came to the end of the Gospel of John and was struck by the thought that it didn’t quite seem like an “ending”. That provoked the question “are the last verses of the four gospels ‘endings’ at all, or are they something else?”
I’m not sure the ends of the Gospels are endings at all. They are the four evangelists perspective on “what happened next”. The four Gospels, woven together, make a beautiful tapestry. They shine different lights on the glorious jewel that is the life of Jesus. When I take that view I see the last four verses quite differently. I see them telling a beautiful little story of what happened next …
Jesus told His disciples to go out and teach other people about Him so that they could be disciples too (Matthew), and that’s what they did, and as they did it the Lord helped them, and sometimes sent special signs so that everyone would know it was for real (Mark). When they weren’t teaching and preaching, they were in the temple worshiping — because they were really having a good time (Luke). There’s a lot more to this story, but I’ve told as much of the story as I’m supposed to tell just now — but there’s a lot more! (John)
So now, I know my tapestry weaving isn’t “Biblical”. I hope you’re not offended. But it made me think about the things we think are “endings”. Maybe most of the time they’re not endings at all … They’re beginnings, or continuations. So have a great New Year … Happy continuations!