John sat in a darkened room as he waited for his escort to arrive. He reminisced back to a period of time when he was younger, much younger, over half a century younger.John sat there thinking of all he had been privileged to experience in his lifetime. He was the youngest of the original followers of Jesus Christ. He felt honored and blessed because of that.
However, sometimes he felt guilty because all the other apostles, his friends, had been martyred, dying a violent death. He was now in his eighties and was the last surviving apostle. He knew how important it was to continue to share with others the lessons he had learned from Jesus.
A group of people that shared the island of Patmos with John realized how significant it was to sit under John’s tutelage. They knew he was the last living apostle and no telling how much longer he would be around. Jesus loved all his apostles but for some reason John got the reputation of being called the “apostle Jesus loved".
The people were honored to have John speak at their meetings. They were followers of Jesus and to think of having John, an original apostle, in their midst. Someone who personally saw Jesus, talked with him, ate with him, lived with him and saw miraculous signs performed by him was almost unbelievable for them to take in.
John’s escort arrived and as they departed they struck up a conversation as they walked to the meeting.
“You know John, we all appreciate you and the relationship you have with our Lord, but we’ve noticed all you talk about, week after week, is loving each other. Do you think you could move on to something else?”
“I’d love to. As soon as you guys get it and start putting it into practice, I’ll be glad to move on.”
Here it is two-thousand years later and we still haven’t “gotten it”.
“This is my command, love one another.” John 15:17
However, sometimes he felt guilty because all the other apostles, his friends, had been martyred, dying a violent death. He was now in his eighties and was the last surviving apostle. He knew how important it was to continue to share with others the lessons he had learned from Jesus.
A group of people that shared the island of Patmos with John realized how significant it was to sit under John’s tutelage. They knew he was the last living apostle and no telling how much longer he would be around. Jesus loved all his apostles but for some reason John got the reputation of being called the “apostle Jesus loved".
The people were honored to have John speak at their meetings. They were followers of Jesus and to think of having John, an original apostle, in their midst. Someone who personally saw Jesus, talked with him, ate with him, lived with him and saw miraculous signs performed by him was almost unbelievable for them to take in.
John’s escort arrived and as they departed they struck up a conversation as they walked to the meeting.
“You know John, we all appreciate you and the relationship you have with our Lord, but we’ve noticed all you talk about, week after week, is loving each other. Do you think you could move on to something else?”
“I’d love to. As soon as you guys get it and start putting it into practice, I’ll be glad to move on.”
Here it is two-thousand years later and we still haven’t “gotten it”.
“This is my command, love one another.” John 15:17
