Saint John the Evangelist:
Spreading the Message of Love and Truth
December 27th is a day to honor Saint John, one of Jesus Christ’s closest followers. Known as "the beloved disciple," John played an important role in spreading Jesus's message of love and truth. Today, we take a moment to remember his life, his writings, and the lessons he left behind.
Who Was Saint John?
Saint John was one of the twelve apostles and is believed to
have been the youngest among them. He was especially close to Jesus, who
referred to him as “the disciple whom He loved.” This special bond is mentioned
in the Bible, as in John 13:23:
"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him"
John witnessed key events in Jesus' life, including His Transfiguration and Crucifixion. Unlike the other disciples, John stayed with Jesus until the very end, standing at the foot of the cross. There, Jesus entrusted John with the care of His mother, Mary.
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." (John 19:26-27).
John’s Role in the Early Church
After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, John became a key leader in the early Christian church. He spent his later years in Ephesus, where he wrote several important parts of the New Testament.
What Did Saint John Write?
Saint John is credited with writing some of the most famous books in the Bible:
The Gospel of John: This book gives a unique perspective on Jesus's life and teachings.One of its most famous verses is John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"
The Letters of John (1 John, 2 John, and 3 John): These
letters focus on themes like love, truth, and living as a community of
believers. One powerful verse from these writings is:
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7).
The Book of Revelation: This is a vision of the future and
the ultimate victory of good over evil. One verse of hope from this book is:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God,
"who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation
1:8).
This powerful declaration reminds us that God is eternal, reigning over all creation. It is a message of hope and stability, reinforcing the themes of trust and faith that permeate John’s writings
Saint John’s writings are all about love and truth. In his
Gospel, Jesus gives us a new command:
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must
love one another" (John 13:34).
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
And John’s hope-filled message encourages us to trust in
Jesus:
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).
Why We Celebrate Saint John
On December 27th, we remember Saint John’s courage, his deep
faith, and his commitment to spreading the message of Jesus. His life is an
example of what it means to love deeply and to stand firm in truth and hope.
As we think about his legacy, let’s take his lessons to heart. In a world that can often feel divided and uncertain, John’s message of love and unity is more important than ever.
Reflecting on the Legacy of Saint John
Saint John’s life teaches us to love God and one another, to
seek the truth, and to hold on to hope. As we honor him today, let’s ask
ourselves how we can bring more love and truth into our own lives.
A beautiful verse from John’s writings reminds us of God’s presence in our lives:
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16).
May Saint John’s example inspire us to live with kindness, faith, and courage every day.
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