The Apostle John’s writings are the last in the New Testament. He was between 80 and 95 years old when he wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2 & 3 John, and the book of Revelation.
Imagine John in old age.
He had been exiled on the Isle of Patmos, and tradition indicates that he died in Ephesus close to one hundred years old. At the end of the Gospel of John, the Apostle Peter asks Jesus about the lifespan of John.
Jesus replied to Peter, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” The Gospel of John then records …
So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (John 21:23, NLT)
Yes, John did die, but he lived longer than all the other apostles. John’s most important work happened in the last 10 to 15 years of his life, when he wrote five of the most influential books in history!
There are 47.8 million Americans aged 65 years or older. Age is not a problem for the Spirit of God, and as we age, what is God’s will for us?
When John wrote the Gospel of John, he included material not found in the other Gospels. Five chapters in the Gospel of John (13, 14, 15, 16, and 17) describe the events of the Last Supper.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to sit with Jesus and His disciples for their last conversation? Perhaps we could hide a mobile recording device under the bread bowl.
We have it!
The Apostle John writes in detail what Jesus said and what happened during the Last Supper.
Let’s hit the play-back button and listen …
Then Jesus began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him (John 13:5).
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit (John 14:16).
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you (John 15:12).
The time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me (John 16:2-3).
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me (John 17:21).
The other Gospels do not describe the last night of Jesus in such detail. The Apostle John, as the last living apostle, wanted us to know about love, the power of the Spirit, and the trials that will soon be upon us.
I could only share parts of the Last Supper discourse that were caught on our Gospel of John recording. However, we can read the transcript ourselves.
Through the years, as I’ve read John 13 to 17, I love reviewing this promise of Jesus. It’s on my favorite scripture list …
If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:14).