On the Tip of Your Tongue

  Develop a Meaningful Relationship
with the Lord

Background

Apostle John wrote the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and The Book of Revelation.  It has been said that if one desired to read and understand the Bible, begin with the Gospel of John for it is likened unto a “mini” Bible.  John was one of the original disciples along with his brother James.  They are referred to as “sons of thunder” in Mark 3: 17, possibly in reflection of their fiery zeal, impulsive temperaments and intense personalities.  It may have referred also to their desire to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9: 54).

Personal Relationship

John writes about the Lord Jesus from a most personal viewpoint.  He refers to himself in his Gospel as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.  This does not signify that Jesus loved John more than the others, but is likely an evaluation of what John expressed their relationship meant to him.

In John’s Gospel he lists seven miracles of Christ as “signs”.  Although Matthew lists the most miracles of Jesus at 41, John adds that if he were to write all that Lord did and accomplished, the world would not be able to contain it (John 21: 25).

If one were sincerely interested in developing a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Creator of the Universe, Savior of the World, and many other references, a study of this Apostle and his writings may open your understanding.

What Was Important

In John 2: 1-11, John records Jesus’ first miracle where he turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.  There were many other times that John witnessed the miraculous manifestations of Christ to the Jewish people.  John had developed a special relationship with the Lord recognized by the other disciples.  At times when the other disciples were unsure of the Lord’s intentions for them, they would ask John to intercede for information directly from Christ (John 13: 23-25). 

Remember What Christ Shared

After Christ’s resurrection, the Lord appeared unto them as they were fishing instead of “going, telling, and baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost”(Matt. 28: 19-20).  As the Lord appeared unto them too far from the shore to be recognized, it would be the Apostle John who would recognize Jesus from the “great catch of fish” they had just received.  John would be the disciple who would recognize the Lord by his works when his presence would be unknown to people searching for Jesus (John 21: 7).  At the cross where Magdalene, Peter and John came to search for answers to Christ’s disappearance on Easter morning, it would be John who would remember Christ’s words prior to his Crucifixion about his resurrection and renewal of life after seeing the empty tomb (John 20: 8-9).

Honor Bestowed Upon the Apostle

It is impossible to identify all the “little things” that John and the Lord shared to anchor their personal relationship that was so meaningful to the Apostle.  However, the Creator of the universe valued John’s relationship in that he anointed the Apostle to pen the Apocalipsis or Book of Revelation of future prophesies of life after time on earth.  Sadly, creation in disobedience to the Creator is on a breakneck speed in the fast lane on the broad way with the wide gate to get there. Matt. 7: 13-14).

John’s Impact for Us

The life of Apostle John reveals to each of his readers the impact of developing a trusting, without reservation, relationship with Jesus the Christ.  John’s relationship was an outgrowth of spending time with the Lord while listening intently to the Lord’s instructions and Scriptural references.  He devoted himself to follow the Lord wherever he would be led to encourage and manifest Christ’s ministry to a “lost and dying world”.  John rightfully was identified as the disciple whom the Lord loved and his life has impacted millions of people’s lives who have read his Gospel, short Epistles, and the masterful penmanship of the Book of Revelation under the auspices of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Said:  John Did.

In many ways Apostle John was like many of my readers here.  If you have “an itch that just cannot be scratched” about whether God really exists, then read the Gospel of John with an open mind.  Ask God who holds our lives in the palm of his hand (John 10: 28-29) to open your understanding and develop a relationship with you that your eyes and mind would be opened to understanding and receiving.  His Word teaches that he will in no wise cast you away (John 6: 37).  He has wealth of knowledge, eternal life, perfect comfort, the inheritance of the kingdom, and being in God’s presence forever without pain or sorrow.  These are blessings yet to come. However, here on earth, God’s believing Christians rest their hopes in a Supreme Being never seen, long to go home they have never realized its appearance, and enjoy a peace that passeth all understanding while they are given power to accomplish all things through their Savior Jesus the Christ.

Seek this relationship while there is yet time (2 Cor. 6: 2).  When life on earth is over for each of us, there is judgment and destinies for spending life eternally.  Just as the Lord God the Creator is real in existence and daily draws humanity for redemption, he however, sometimes speaks “in the still small voice” and is often ignored (1Kings 19: 12).   There exists, however, “the evil one, father of lies, and other names of one who “blinds the minds of creation to prevent acceptance of the glorious Gospel” of salvation through Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the world.  Do not let the “god of this world, Satan, bend your ear with lies. God the Father has given you the hunger to seek the Lord for forgiveness and salvation with words from his heart placed “on the tip of your tongue” that you may then, receive the desires of your heart (Psalm 37: 4).