Today I am reading and writing about the disciple and apostle John.
Jesus loved John. Of course, Jesus loved all his followers (He still does) but the Bible often refers to John as “the disciple Jesus loved.” What does that mean? It means John was special to Our Lord. As a matter of fact, John was so special that while dying on the cross, Jesus placed the care of his mother into John’s hands.
Who was John? The Bible says John and his brother James were fishermen and the sons of Zebedee (Mark 10:35; Luke 5:10). Who was Zebedee? Zebedee was a businessman, probably one who had servants. He married Salome, Mary’s, the mother of Jesus’ sister, which makes Jesus and John cousins.
Tradition says John and James, John’s brother, were disciples of John the Baptist and were present at Jesus’ baptism with water. John followed Jesus after this experience. Jesus noticed someone following him. After spending the day with Jesus, both john and his brother James became the first of Jesuses disciples. John, it appears, was the youngest of all twelve who followed Jesus.
John wrote five books in the New Testament. He wrote The Gospel According to John, First, Second and Third John, and he was the penman of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
According to tradition, John was sentenced to death in a boiling pot of oil, but he emerged unharmed. John died of natural causes in Ephesus sometime after AD 98.
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Let’s look at the Epistles or letters John wrote in 1 John. John wrote his first letter, probably around A.D. 90, to warn Christians about dangerous false teachers.
Chapter 1 verse 8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
What does this mean for me today?
I am a human being, a Christian. I have sinned and continue to do so because I am only human. Sometimes my sins are of omission, meaning I don’t do what I know I should do. For instance, I didn’t attend church this past Sunday because I was lazy. Not only must I confess that sin, I must change by attending church services more often.
Prayer
Father, I did not go to church on Sunday. As a matter of fact, I often. don’t go. I know you want us to keep the Sabbath holy. Forgive me this omission and help me plan to attend church services even if I don’t feel like it. I always enjoy them. In Jesus name I pay.
