3 John is a funny little book in the Bible. It seems insignificant, or at least unsuspecting. But I like it a lot.

If you haven’t read it in a while, stop right now and do so here. It is short, very short.

I believe this epistle, or letter, is authored by the same John the Apostle who wrote 1 and 2 as well as his account of Jesus life and ministry, holding its place as one of the four synoptic gospels. There is essentially no doctrine within the confines of its verses. Instead, it reads like a personal letter. Almost like we are eavesdropping in on a private conversation! At face value there are at least four main characters: the elder Gaius, the antagonist Diotrephes, the brothers, and Demetrius.

The name of Jesus, or Christ, isn’t used… not even once. In fact, it’s the only book in the NT to not do so.

So why is it in the canon? How did a private letter, which really only serves as a “recommendation letter” on behalf of Demetrius to Gaius, end up as sacred?

Guys with long beards and PHDs have used this to argue for the Apostles authorship. If John wrote it, we should include it. That makes sense, I guess. Our church fathers in the first century included it. But, If John wrote it – what was Diotrephes’ issue with their (the Apostles) authority? What nonsense could be said about the guys who knew Jesus like a friend? I mean c’mon, Jesus loved John the most.

Truthfully, I don’t have any of the answers to those questions, nor do I have a beard

But what I do know is this; John was so impacted by Jesus, that long after the ascension, he still felt compelled to support the ongoing work of missionaries (the brothers), to spur on the church in good works and love (worthy of God) and to stand for truth. It was worth putting up with dissenters and naysayers like Diotrephes.

John experienced first hand the single most impactful event in all history. Jesus came and lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again. John saw God in the flesh. This compels him to do good, to imitate it.

And that’s what we have here, a snapshot of real life in ministry. Real encouragement in love, as real people really struggle with other people! John says it best in verse 4… “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

A lot could be said about John’s “pastoral care” in this letter, but let’s save that for another time. For now, think about this – what brings you joy? Are you putting yourself first, like Diotrephes, or are you imitating good?

Peace be with you.