Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 St John's Day

John 21:20-25

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

St. John the Apostle, also called Saint John the Evangelist or Saint John the Divine identified by many scholars as Jesus’s beloved disciple from Galilee, is commemorated in the Western Church on December 27. In the Eastern tradition the feast day is observed on May 8. One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and traditionally believed to be the author of the three Letters of John, the Fourth Gospel, and possibly the Revelation to John in the New Testament, he played a leading role in the early church at Jerusalem. He was a man of thought, meditation, and Vision. Jesus called him and his brother the sons of thunder. It is believed that John was exiled to the island of Patmos.
John’s letter to the churches encourages them to be in truth and keep the hope of Christ’s return. John’s vision is very vivid and magnificent. The reigning king of the Judah the lamb of God will return to rule the world and bind Satan and the evil forces forever as a victorious king. John in his revelation from Christ describes with awe the glorious splendor the coming Kingdom and the beauty of the spotless lamb of God who is going to be on the throne.
Here in today’s text, we see Jesus reinstating Peter.  In this episode that happens post resurrection Jesus appears to his disciples who lost hope and are unsure of the next step, by the sea of Galilee. They were toiling the whole night and when their attempts were futile Jesus come to their rescue and asks them to throw the nets on the right side of the boat which resulted in a big catch. Jesus waited for the disciples at the shore with a delicious breakfast. Later,  we see Peter given the assignment to feed and take care of the sheep that is the whole humanity. Jesus also asked him to follow. Then Peter saw John the beloved disciple who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper, following them. To Peter’s question about the fate of John, Jesus replied that he could live till Jesus’s return, and it shall not be a concern for Peter. Traditions uphold that, out of the twelve disciples only John had a natural death. Jesus’s command to follow Him emphasize again the fact that being in Christ’s service must be one’s all-consuming passion and nothing else must distract our love for Jesus or separate from Him. Jesus also emphasizes that He will return again.
To conclude Jesus wants each of us to follow Him and be His ambassadors. Being His disciple involves a cost and the question to meditate today is, are we ready to take up that cross. Many before us willingly took the cross and we too can volunteer and if so we and our generations will be blessed. Amen
 
Prayer
Lord help us to follow you. Enable us to accept the cross and deny all worldly distractions. Let serving you may be our prime motto and concern, Amen.

 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
To walk with Jesus is not always easy. So let us pray to train us so that our steps are in tune with the will of the risen God.


Dr Thomas K. Jose
The Mar Thoma Church, Staten Island

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