A Moving Story in the Life of John the Apostle

A Moving Story  in the Life of John the Apostle

NPNF2-01. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine

Narrative Concerning John the Apostle.

Chapter XXII

I “Listen to a tale, which is not a mere tale, but a narrative749749 μῦθον οὐ μῦθον, ἀλλὰ ὄντα λόγον. Clement in these words asserts the truth of the story which he relates. We cannot regard it as very strongly corroborated, for no one else records it, and yet we can hardly doubt that Clement gives it in good faith. It may have been an invention of some early Christian, but it is so fully in accord with what we know of John’s character that there exists no reason for refusing to believe that at least a groundwork of truth underlies it, even though the story may have gained in the telling of it. It is certainly beautiful, and fully worthy of the “beloved disciple.” concerning John the apostle, which has been handed down and treasured up in memory. For when, after the tyrant’s death, he returned from the isle of Patmos to Ephesus, he went away upon their invitation to the neighboring territories of the Gentiles, to appoint bishops in some places, in other places to set in order whole churches, elsewhere to choose to the ministry some one.

7. When he had come to one of the cities not far away (the name of which is given by some),  According to Stroth the Chronicon Paschale gives Smyrna as the name of this city, and it has been suggested that Clement withholds the name in order to spare the reputation of Polycarp, who, according to tradition, was appointed bishop of that city by John.), and had consoled the brethren in other matters, he finally turned to the bishop that had been appointed, and seeing a youth of powerful physique, of pleasing appearance, and of ardent temperament, he said, ‘This one I commit to thee in all earnestness in the presence of the Church and with Christ as witness.’ And when the bishop had accepted the charge and had promised all, he repeated the same injunction with an appeal to the same witnesses, and then departed for Ephesus.9. But some youths of his own age, idle and dissolute, and accustomed to evil practices, corrupted him when he was thus prematurely freed from restraint. At first they enticed him by costly entertainments; then, when they went forth at night for robbery, they took him with them, and finally they demanded that he should unite with them in some greater crime. 10. He gradually became accustomed to such practices, and on account of the positiveness of his character,756756 Literally, “greatness of his nature” (μέγεθος φύσεως). leaving the right path, and taking the bit in his teeth like a hard-mouthed and powerful horse, he rushed the more violently down into the depths. 11. And finally despairing of salvation in God, he no longer meditated what was insignificant, but having committed some great crime, since he was now lost once for all, he expected to suffer a like fate with the rest. Taking them, therefore, and forming a band of robbers, he became a bold bandit-chief, the most violent, most bloody, most cruel of them all. 12. Time passed, and some necessity having arisen, they sent for John. But he, when he had set in order the other matters on account of which he had come, said, ‘Come, O bishop, restore us the deposit which both I and Christ committed to thee, the church, over which thou presidest, being witness.’ 13. But the bishop was at first confounded, thinking that he was falsely charged in regard to money which he had not received, and he could neither believe the accusation respecting what he had not, nor could he disbelieve John. But when he said, ‘I demand the young man and the soul of the brother,’ the old man, groaning deeply and at the same time bursting into tears, said, ‘He is dead.’ ‘How and what kind of death?’ ‘He is dead to God,’ he said; ‘for he turned wicked and abandoned, and at last a robber. And now, instead of the church, he haunts the mountain with a band like himself.’ 14. But the Apostle rent his clothes, and beating his head with great lamentation, he said, ‘A fine guard I left for a brother’s soul! But let a horse be brought me, and let some one show me the way.’ He rode away from the church just as he was, and coming to the place, he was taken prisoner by the robbers’ outpost. 15. He, however, neither fled nor made entreaty, but cried out, ‘For this did I come; lead me to your captain.’ 16. The latter, meanwhile, was waiting, armed as he was. But when he recognized John approaching, he turned in shame to flee. 17. But John, forgetting his age, pursued him with all his might, crying out, ‘Why, my son, dost thou flee from me, thine own father, unarmed, aged? Pity me, my son; fear not; thou hast still hope of life. I will give account to Christ for thee. If need be, I will willingly endure thy death as the Lord suffered death for us. For thee will I give up my life. Stand, believe; Christ hath sent me.’ 18. And he, when he heard, first stopped and looked down; then he threw away his arms, and then trembled and wept bitterly. And when the old man approached, he embraced him, making confession with lamentations as he was able, baptizing himself a second time with tears, and concealing only his right hand. 19. But John, pledging himself, and assuring him on oath that he would find forgiveness with the Saviour, besought him, fell upon his knees, kissed his right hand itself as if now purified by repentance, and led him back to the church. And making intercession for him with copious prayers, and struggling together with him in continual fastings, and subduing his mind by various utterances, he did not depart, as they say, until he had restored him to the church, furnishing a great example of true repentance and a great proof of regeneration, a trophy of a visible resurrection.”

Blessings,

#kent

 

I Will Wait for Him

Lamentations 3:22-27
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
27It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.

I Will Wait for Him

One of the richest and most fruitful times of the day is the time I spend with Papa.  Out of that time and communion with Him I find the strength, direction and the attitude I need to carry into my day.  The most special of those times is when I hear Him speak to me or even speak through me as write.  Indeed, “His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
There are times in our lives as God is growing us, maturing us and seasoning us that we have our times of lamentation.  We don’t always feel God’s closeness or sense His presence.  Circumstances that surround us might suggest that maybe God has left us or abandoned us.  Then we hear the jackal voice of the enemy as he taunts us with doubts,  fear and unbelief .  He whispers his condemnations to us because we think somehow we are not good enough or worthy of God’s love.
The Lord has not forsaken us.  It is not because you aren’t good enough or worthy of His love.  It has never been about our worth.  If Father didn’t consider us worth saving He would have never sent His Son to die for us.  Our worth is found in our identity with Him, not in the efforts or failures of our goodness.   He alone is our goodness and our righteousness and because of that God does not turn His back on you.
What God is looking for is the man that is steadfast and faithfully waits upon the Lord even in the midst and length of trial and adversity.  Of course it easy to love God when we speak and it happens, when we pray and He answers, when we sense His presence and love all around us.  What happens when we don’t have that and our heavens seem as brass?  Will we say like Jeremiah, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”  Isn’t that basically what Job said when his world turned upside down and God seemed no place to be found?  God is wanting sons and daughters that are so sold out that they totally love God for who He is, regardless of what He can give them or how He can make them feel.  Faith is the “feeling” of the Spirit.  It will believe when all else says otherwise.
God has never forsaken us.  “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”  God can so blow us away with all He could do for us and provide for us and there will be a day for that, but first God wants to know our heart.  Are you willing to hang with Him in the rough times, those lonely and desert times?  Are you willing trust Him and praise Him even in adversity and lose?
It says of Jesus in Hebrews 5:8, “though he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” If Jesus is our prototype and pattern should we think that it would be different for us?
Shore up your resolve and know that God is always on His throne and His promises are always “yes” and “amen”, but that doesn’t mean the ride can’t be rough.  Jesus says, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”  Tribulation is part of our portion if we live godly in Christ Jesus.  Why would you be an overcomer unless there was something to overcome?  It is what builds the fabric of your faith and relationship with Father.  When He knows nothing will move you from Him then He knows He can trust great responsibility into your hands.  “It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.”  The yoke speaks to the burden and the testing of our faith.  When we have been seasoned through our youth, then in latter years we can more fully move into what God wants to impart through us because of the experience He has worked in us over the time.
There is no place like God’s presence, but know that this is not always a warm and fuzzy place based on our feelings.  Remember that the feelings of the Spirit is faith.  In that faith we stand in confidence of God as we wait upon Him, knowing that He is our portion.
Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
James 5:7-11 exhorts us, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
Wait upon the Lord.  Persevere.  The Lord has great things ahead for those who stay the course and don’t faint.

Blessings,
kent