For most of us, John is one of our favorite apostles; maybe because of his interesting life or maybe because of his emphasis on love. Of all the disciples, John was the youngest when he was called and he lived the longest, making him the last to die; he is believed to have been the only disciple not to have been martyred. He was one of the disciples closest to Jesus and was the only one at the crucifixion. In paintings of the last supper, he is next to Jesus and often leaning towards Him; in older paintings, because of his youth, he is often given almost feminine features. He wrote five books of the New Testament: the Gospel of John, Revelations, and the Epistles I, II, and III John.

John and his brother James came from the village of Bethsaida, which is on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is believed that he continued in Judea for about a decade after the death of Christ. Eventually, Romans banished him to the Greek Island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelations. Church tradition says that in later life he lived in the village of Selҫuk, which is a small hillside village about a mile northeast of the city of Ephesus. Today, John’s purported grave overlooks the part of Ephesus that has been excavated by archaeologists. Paulette and I were very fortunate to have visited the beautiful ruins of Ephesus, and while there we also visited John’s grave, where we each placed a stone. From the courtyard where the grave is located, there is a wonderful view of Ephesus below; the experience and the dramatic view was moving to both of us.

                           Library at Ephesus                                                 St. John’s Grave

Again according to tradition, as an old man, John would often be carried by others to the worship service, and he would always say the same thing, “Little children, love one another!” After being at his grave, I can just see John as a frail little old man being carried in, and I can hear him with a weak, squeaky voice say those words. After a number of times, his helpers wearied at hearing the same thing, and asked why this is what he always said. His response was, “It is the Lord’s command, and if this alone be done, it is enough!” I can’t help but believe that if he were invited today to give a sermon at Joy Lutheran Church, it would be “Little children, love one another!” Amen!

Read I John 4:7-12, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally!

Jim