John 21:20-25
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 23 So the rumor spread among the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
Today we celebrate the life and legacy of St. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. John is usually portrayed as the youngest disciple, smaller in stature and clean shaven. He is one of the three (Peter, James & John) that Jesus takes with him to the Mount of Transfiguration. John was a trusted disciple, confidant, and friend to Jesus.
In the Gospel that bears his name, John steps out of the role of narrator to tell the readers that he is the person who is telling the story. What a wonderful gift it is to have these eye-witness accounts from the disciples themselves!
As we honor John today, my thoughts turn to my own life and ministry. How am I sharing the Gospel with others? Do the things that I value and the way I live my life point to Jesus? What can I do in the coming year to follow Jesus more closely?
Lord Jesus: Thank you for the witness of John, and all the disciples you chose for yourself. Thank you for calling me to join them by following you. AMEN