3 John: Co-Workers in the Truth
Saturday, July 14, 2018
The author of this brief letter is believed to be the Apostle John and it gives us a window on the world of the early church with its factions and arguments. We see the interwoven themes of hospitality, truth, and love . . . three concepts we might spend time with today.
In the jumble of names we might finally work out that the leader Diotrephes has stepped outside of the Johannine tradition by refusing hospitality to some of John’s disciples. This action would be counter to the kind of behavior Jesus nurtured among his own apostles, and counter to the traditions of the early church. “Itinerant Christian preachers were dependent upon the hospitality of Christians among whom they ministered. This built up networks between the scattered churches and fostered a sense of solidarity. The local churches saw themselves as belonging to the one church, united around the foundational truth of the Gospel”. (ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY BIBLE 2035) In this ancient culture, hospitality was essential. Travel by foot through arid and sometimes hostile regions required open homes and welcoming brothers and sisters at journey’s end. Generosity with one’s goods and time was essential for survival in this environment. Fear of false teachers was and is a legitimate concern, but we know from this short letter that the rejected missionaries had been sent by John himself so certainly there was no reason for alarm. As John writes: We ought to support such persons, so that we might be co-workers in the truth. John appeals to those who want to withdraw into a purist sect and he points out that separatism is counter to Jesus’ universal call to unity. Jesus’ truth-followers seek union with others – not separation or elitism. John urges his fellow Christians to support his faithful ministers so that they might be seen as messengers of Christ’s word rather than ordinary pagan beggars who lived off the goodness of others with little or no contribution to society.
In today’s Noontime we hear an echo of John’s assertion in his first letter that what the apostles have seen with their eyes, heard with their ears and touched with their hands can be believed. Jesus was among them . . . he died . . . he rose again and is with them still. This is a truth that cannot be denied and it is an absolute demonstration of Jesus’ love for humanity. John tells us that we in turn must demonstrate our belief in this reality by offering open arms and welcoming hearts to fellow co-workers in this truth.
When we read this letter carefully, we see the elements of a prudent and wise method of confronting the obstinate, self-centered rejection of goodness: Send an opening greeting with an offer of dialog, recommend continued conversation, delineate the points of argument, and center all decisions on Gospel thinking of unity through variety. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul expresses clearly how Christ creates the union of diverse parts: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. We are reminded by both John and Paul that not one of us has sole possession of truth . . . yet Christ’s truth lives in the gathering up of all who believe and act in him.
When we open our hearts and homes for Christ to act through us, we become the co-workers John speaks of today, we become seekers of Christ’s truth rather than our own. We become co-workers in the only truth that matters. This we can believe.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY BIBLE (NIV). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005. 2035. Print.
We will be away from the Internet for several days. Please enjoy this reflection first posted on July 23, 2011.
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