INTRODUCTION TO THE 3 EPISTLES OF JOHN

John was the brother of James. They were sons of Zebedee. Once they left their boat and nets to follow Jesus. John calls himself 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (Jn 21:20). He wrote John's Gospel. In his latter years he shepherded God's people in Ephesus; finally he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.

These three letters were written to believers who were being confronted by false teachers--especially by those with Gnostic ideas. The Gnostics taught that flesh is evil and spirit is good. This is an unbiblical idea, and it leads to the denial of the true humanity of Christ. In practical life, those who embrace Gnosticism fall into one of two extremes: They either become ascetic to the point of mistreating their bodies, or they throw off all moral restraints, saying that it doesn't matter what we do with our physical bodies as long as we believe in Jesus.

The Bible teaches that God created man-- body and spirit--and said, 'It is good.' Jesus is God. He is the Word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us (Jn 1:14).

John invites us to walk with Jesus in the light of his love and truth. He reminds us to love one another. He wants us to know the real joy of fellowship with God and fellowship with one another.

1. We have heard and seen and touched (1-2)

John the Apostle was an eyewitness to Jesus' life and death and resurrection. He had followed Jesus during his earthly life. John knew Jesus the man; he saw him and heard him and touched him. And he loved Jesus. He was changed from a 'son of thunder' into an apostle of love. He also came to believe and know that Jesus is the eternal Word of life, the Son who was with the Father from the beginning.

2. We proclaim to you (3-4)

In this short passage the word, 'proclaim' is repeated 3 times. The good news that God loves us and sent his one and only Son to save us must be proclaimed. John and the apostles proclaimed what they had seen and heard so that we who read might know Jesus and have fellowship with him, and have fellowship with all believers down through history. When we proclaim this good news, our joy is complete.

Application: Lord, help me to hold your word in my heart and have fellowship with you. Help me to proclaim Jesus and have fellowship with all believers.
One Word: Receive the word and proclaim it