My Name Is John...
Reflections on a Life Lived Close to the Heart of Jesus
To my beloved brethren in Christ,
I am John, the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother to James. My life has been a long pilgrimage, walking in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. As I pen this letter, I do so with a heart filled with memories of divine love and eternal truths that have shaped the very core of my being.
Born into a family of fishermen, my life took an extraordinary turn when Jesus called James and me to follow Him. “Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” (Mark 1:20, NIV)
I was the youngest of His disciples, often referred to as the ‘beloved disciple’. This special affection, however, was not a mark of personal greatness, but a humbling reminder of the grace and love that Jesus extends to all. Being close to Jesus, I witnessed His miracles, soaked in His teachings, and was confounded by His parables.
Among the many moments I shared with Jesus, the Last Supper holds a special place in my heart. Reclining next to Him, I felt the depth of His impending sacrifice. It was there that He gave us a new commandment – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34, NIV)
Tradition holds that I outlived the other apostles and did not die a martyr’s death. This prolonged life gave me the privilege to witness the early church’s growth and trials. It also provided a unique vantage point from which to reflect on the profound mysteries of Christ’s life and teachings, which I endeavored to capture in the writings attributed to me – the Gospel of John, the three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. Whether I wrote these texts or they were penned by followers in my name, they bear the witness of my experiences and the theological insights I gained from my close association with the Savior.
The Gospel of John, in particular, is a testament to the divinity of Christ, emphasizing His identity as the Word made flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, NIV) My aim was to present Jesus not just as the Messiah of Israel but as the Light of the World, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
In my later years, I was exiled to the island of Patmos, where I received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. These revelations provided a glimpse into the cosmic battle between good and evil and the ultimate triumph of Christ. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1, NRSV)
To you, who walk in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, I offer my life as a testament to the transformative power of His love. In the ebbs and flows of your faith journey, may you find solace and strength in the knowledge that you are deeply loved by Jesus. Let this love be your guiding light in times of darkness and uncertainty.
Embrace the love of Christ, share it generously with others, and remain steadfast in the hope of His return. May the peace of Christ, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Him.
With the love of an elder brother in Christ,
John, Son of Zebedee, Disciple of the Beloved Savior.