December 27, 2024
Saint John
John 21:24
12/27/2024
24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about
these things, and who has written these things,
and we know that his testimony is true. (ESV)
On the third day of Christmas the Church celebrates the
memory of Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist. John was the
son of Zebedee and the brother of James the Elder. He was one of
the first disciples to be called by Jesus. Rarely does he
mention his own name in his Gospel, but refers to himself as
``the disciple whom Jesus loved.''
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, only John did not
forsake Him in the hours of His suffering and death. John
followed Jesus to the house of the high priest, and stood at the
foot of the cross. He was entrusted with the care of Mary, who
he took to his own home immediately.
John spent his ministry in Jerusalem and Ephesus. Although
he is the only apostle of Jesus who did not die as a martyr, he
was persecuted for his faith. He wrote the book of Revelations
while an exile. John is the author of the fourth Gospel and
three epistles, as well as Revelations.
One of the most famous passages in the Bible flowed from
John's pen by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.[1]
John said of himself, ``This is the disciple who is bearing
witness about these things, and who has written these things, and
we know that his testimony is true.''
May our Lord grant that we witness our faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ as did the Apostle John. Amen.
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1. John 3:16 (KJVA)