John the Apostle and Evangelist was one of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus, and the brother of the Apostle James (we assume he was the younger brother due to him usually being referred to after James). We know from Matthew 4:21 and Mark 1:19-20 that John’s father was named Zebedee, and Matthew 27:56 identifies Salome as “mother of the sons of Zebedee.” John and James were fishermen by trade when Jesus called them to be among His followers, and the Lord gave the siblings the Aramaic surname “Boanerges,” which is translated “sons of thunder.” Christ may have been referring to their fierce personalities (Luke 9:51-56 recounts them wanting to call fire down from heaven to consume the Samaritans for failing to receive Jesus well), while other scholars think Jesus was giving them a visionary identity of becoming strong witnesses for Christ.
John is widely credited by most scholars as the author of the Gospel of John, the 3 apostolic letters 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, and Revelation. Oddly, for one who prolifically wrote such crucial words about the life of the Savior and his revealed will for His followers, John’s spoken words are rarely evident in the gospels. Yet it is evident he was highly esteemed by Christ through his inclusion in the Savior’s inner circle of three (along with his brother and Peter) as the only apostles present at the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37), the transfiguration of Christ (Mark 9:2), and accompanying Jesus during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37). And while John is not named in the fourth gospel, there is strong evidence he is the one being referred to by the description, “the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20)
Indeed the Apostle John made an exceptional impact on the church, particularly in his writings, and was used of the Lord to reveal His will in a way that has magnificently revealed the glory of the Savior, edified the body of Christ through instruction, and has guided us to worshipfully anticipate His return. Let us give thanks for his great contribution on this feast day in his honor. Use the collect (prayer) and Bible reading below in your personal prayer time today as we reflect on St. John the evangelist.
Collect (Prayer) of the Day
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light; that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at
length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Taken from the ACNA Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Bible Reading
John 1:1-5 & 14-18 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Photo Credit: Vladimir Borovikovsky (1757–1825), “St. John the Evangelist”, ca. 1804-1809 (Public Domain)
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