A letter from AD 90

John was one of the twelve men who were the closest disciples of Jesus Christ. He wrote the above letter. John, his father, Zebedee, and his twin brother, James, were in the family fishing business. Along with employees they operated on the Sea of Galilee – about 50 miles north of Jerusalem.

Around AD 30, both John and James gave up fishing to follow Jesus. Three years later Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem - the worst form of criminal punishment that the Romans could devise. This execution as a common criminal took place after two courts – the Jerusalem Sanhedrin and the Roman military authorities – had pronounced him “worthy” of death.

John saw him die – and risen from the dead.

Then, in Jerusalem around AD 43, John’s brother, James, was executed by sword because he was a Christian. This was on the orders of King Herod Agrippa I – a puppet King appointed by the Roman Emperor Caligula. Other followers of Jesus were persecuted.

Would John continue? Yes, he would – and did. Then, around AD 90 (John was probably born around AD 0 so was then an old man) he was exiled to the Greek Island of Patmos because he continued to live for Jesus.

There, this nonagenarian wrote an open letter to all who wished to read it. His first few sentences are in bold above. They show what was then on his heart.

First, he makes it clear that, having been an eyewitness, he still wanted to proclaim Jesus. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life …. that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you…” He also wanted there to be no mistake about what was really special about Jesus. It was “life” – life from the beginning, life from infinity past – “the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us.”

Second, he makes his purpose clear. “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” This joy would be complete when “you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” Going to church together was not the objective because John was banished from others. He wanted real joy together.

Fourth, he draws a clear distinction between those who, uselessly, follow the Christian religion and those who follow Jesus. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”