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Title: A Life of St. John for the Young

Author: George Ludington Weed

Release date: November 27, 2005 [eBook #17166]
Most recently updated: December 13, 2020

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Janet Blenkinship, Curtis Weyant and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A LIFE OF ST. JOHN FOR THE YOUNG ***

St John—Domenichino

A Life of St. John

For the Young

BY

GEORGE LUDINGTON WEED

Author of "A Life of Christ for the Young," "A Life of St. Paul for the Young," "Great Truths Simply Told," etc., etc.

PHILADELPHIA

GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO

103-105 South Fifteenth Street

By George W. Jacobs & Co

PREFATORY NOTE

The recorded incidents of the Life of St. John are few. Almost all those of which we certainly know are related in the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, The Epistles of St. John, and The Revelation. Some of the traditions concerning him are in such harmony with what we do know that we are almost ready to accept them as historic.

The known events though few, are very distinct. They are the beautiful fragments of a great picture. The plan of this volume does not include those which pertain to him in common with the twelve disciples. Such a record would practically involve the story of the life of our Lord. This is limited to those events in which his name is mentioned, or his person otherwise indicated; to those in which he was a certain or implied actor; to those in which we may suppose from his character and relations he had a special interest; to those narratives whose fulness of detail makes the impression that they are given by an eye-witness; to those in which a deeper impression was made on him than on his fellow-disciples, or where he showed a deeper insight than they into the teachings of the Lord, and is a clearer interpreter; to those records which add to, or throw light upon, those of the other three Evangelists; and especially to those things which reveal his peculiar relation to Jesus Christ.

Another limitation of this volume is its adaptation, in language, selection of subjects and general treatment, to young people, for whom it is believed no life of John, at any rate of recent date, has been prepared. It is designed especially for those between the ages of ten and twenty, though the facts recorded may be of value to all.

The attempt is made to trace the way by which John was led to, and then by, Christ. We first see him as a boy with Jewish surroundings, taught to expect the Messiah, then watching for His coming, then rejoicing in finding Him, then faithful and loving in serving Him; becoming the most loved of His chosen ones. We see the Christ through John's eyes, and listen to the Great Teacher with his ears. Christ and John are the central figures in the scenes here recorded.

The full table of contents suggests the variety and scope of the topics presented.

In the mind of the writer the interest of many of the scenes described has been greatly deepened by memories of the paths in which he has followed in the footsteps of the Master and His disciple.

The many quotations of words, phrases and texts—which are from the Revised Version—are designed to direct the young to Scripture forms with which they should become familiar; and sometimes to emphasize a fact or truth, or to recall a former incident.

Grateful acknowledgment is made especially to the works of Farrar, Edersheim and Stalker, for facts, and germs of thought which have been simplified in form and language for the interest and instruction of the young, in the hope that they may thereby be led into deeper study of one of the noblest of human lives.

G.L.W.

Philadelphia, July, 1900.

CHAPTER I

A HOME IN THE BLESSED LAND, BY THE SACRED SEA

A Fitting Study for the Young—The Glory of all Lands—Divisions of
Palestine—Galilee—People of Galilee—Gennesaret and its
Surroundings—Comparisons—Jewish Sayings—McCheyne—Towns,
Villages and Palaces—Fisheries—Bethsaida	19

CHAPTER II

FIVE BOYS OF BETHSAIDA—RAMBLES ABOUT HOME

Five Apostles of Jesus—Two Pair of Brothers—Salome—Brothers
Indeed—Views from a Hilltop—View of the Lake—Poetic
Description—Rambles North of the Lake—On the West—Keble's
Poem—Answer to the Poet's Question—The Sower—Object Lessons of
the Great Teacher—Mount of Beatitudes—Nature's Influence on
John—Philip	24

CHAPTER III

JOHN'S ROYAL KINDRED

Salome and Mary Sisters—John and Jesus Cousins—Visit to
Bethsaida—Visit to Nazareth—A Picture of the Boy Jesus—The
Picture a Help—A Phrase to Remember—A Kinsman of John and
Jesus—Education—The Messiah	31

CHAPTER IV

THE GREAT EXPECTATION IN JOHN'S DAY

Prophecy Concerning the Messiah—Jewish Mistakes—Roman
Conquest—Judas of Galilee—The Five Bethsaidan Boys—John and
Peter	35

CHAPTER V

EARLY INFLUENCES ON CHARACTER

Special Influences on the Five—Scripture Students—Rabbi Like
Simeon, or a Teacher—Prophetess Like Anna—Home Teaching—From the
Five to Two—Salome and Her Sons—Review—Boyhood
Traits—Imperfections—Perfection	39

CHAPTER VI

FIRST VISIT IN JERUSALEM

Jewish Boy at Twelve—Interest in the First Pilgrimage—John's
Journey—The Jordan Ford—City, Temple and Altar—John and
Saul—Silent Years—Parental Thoughts Concerning John	44

CHAPTER VII

JOHN'S VIEW OF THE COMING MESSIAH

John's Old Testament Studies—First Gospel Promise—Promises to
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—Promise to David—Mary and
Immanuel—Names and Titles of the Messiah—John's Misreading of the
Old Testament—Christ's Sufferings	48

CHAPTER VIII

JESUS THE HIDDEN MESSIAH

The Infancy of Jesus Forgotten—Our Ignorance of Christ's
Childhood—The Boy in the Temple—The Carpenter's Silent Years	53

CHAPTER IX

"THE PROPHET OF THE MOST HIGH"

Elizabeth and Her John—A Father's Prophecy—The Prophet in the
Wilderness—Young Men of Galilee—The Hermit—His Galilean
Disciples—His Public Ministry—His Hearers—His Preaching—St.
John the Baptist—St. John of Galilee	57

CHAPTER X

THE MESSIAH FOUND

"Jesus from Galilee to Jordan"—Baptism of
Jesus—Temptation—"Behold the Lamb of God"—Andrew and John with
the Baptist—Our First Knowledge of John of Galilee—Parting of the
Baptist and Jesus—The Two St. Johns and Jesus—Following Jesus in
the Way—Blessed Invitation Accepted—Precious Memories—Change of
Discipleship—Silence of John—Disciples at Emmaus—Brothers
Brought to Jesus—Memorials of Andrew—John's Memories of His First
Day with Jesus—Philip—Nathanael—Jesus' First Disciples—John the
Nearest to Him	63

CHAPTER XI

JOHN A WEDDING GUEST

Invited Guests to a Marriage Feast—Words of Mary and Jesus
Concerning Wine—Three Commands of Jesus—First
Miracle—Belshazzar's Feast—Believing Disciples—Believing
Samaritans—What John Might Have Written—First Miracle, for
Innocent Joy—John and Mary at the Feast—Mary's Thoughts of John
and Her Sons—Her Thoughts of Jesus	72

CHAPTER XII

JOHN AND NICODEMUS

Reasons for a Night Visit to Jesus—John's Possible Abode in
Jerusalem—Nicodemus Goes Thither—His Conversation With
Jesus—Seven Great Truths—Golden Text of the Bible—Golden Truth
of John—Tradition of Nicodemus	79

CHAPTER XIII

ST. JOHN AND THE SAMARITANESS

John's Record—With the Master—Valley and Well—A Personal
Privilege—John With Jesus at the Well—Memories of the
Region—Abraham—Thoughts of the Future—A Samaritaness—Strange
Request—Living Water—Greater than Jacob—Difference in
Waters—Woman's Request—Jesus a Prophet—Place and Spirit of True
Worship—"Messiah Cometh"—John an Earnest Listener—Jesus'
Revelation of Himself—Changed Name for the Well—Wonder of the
Disciples—The Samaritaness a Gospel Messenger—Unknown
Meat—John's Watchful Eye—His Story of the Well—A Memorable Hour
for Him	84

CHAPTER XIV

THE CHOSEN ONE OF THE CHOSEN THREE OF THE CHOSEN TWELVE

Two Pair of Brothers Mending Nets—Call of Four Disciples—Fishers
of Men—A Partner in Fishing—Followers of Him—True
Brothers—Family Ties—The Twelve Chosen—First Disciples, First
Apostles—The Inner Circles—Peter and John—John—Aaron's
Breastplate—Apostolic Stones	92

CHAPTER XV

JOHN IN THE HOME OF JAIRUS

A Father's Cry—Reason for Hope—Sad Message—Strength of
Faith—"Fear Not"—Curious Crowd—The Twelve and the
Three—Jealousy—Ambition—A Coming Change—John One of
Three—"Tahtha Cumi"—A Lesson for John—A Future Scene—Influence
of a Secret	97

CHAPTER XVI

JOHN A BEHOLDER OF CHRIST'S GLORY

Family Prayer—Sayings of Men Concerning Jesus—Saying of Peter—A
Great Need—Christ's Prophecy of His Death—Apart by
Themselves—Not Tabor, but Hermon—Thoughts of the Nine and of the
Three—Heavy with Sleep—Answers to Two Prayers of
Jesus—Transfigured—Moses and Elijah—Moses' Shining Face—The
Lord's Shining Figure—The Shechinah—A Strange Proposal—Voice
from the Clouds—Touch and Word of Jesus—Descent from Hermon—A
Great Secret—Peter's Memory of the Transfiguration—John's
Record—Greater than John the Baptist or Moses—Moses and the
Shechinah—Ungranted Request, but Answered Prayer—Hermon, a Mount
of Prayer	101

CHAPTER XVII

ST. JOHN'S IMPERFECTIONS

Four Reasons for Recording Failings—Jealousy and Pride—Intolerant
Spirit—Two Questions, What? and Who?—First and Last—An Object
Lesson—The Child-Spirit—Startled Disciples—John's
Confession—Lesson Not Learned—Hospitality—Samaritan
Hatred—Hospitality Refused—Indignant Brothers—A Story of
Elijah—Fiery Spirit of James and John—Rebuked by Jesus—Ambitious
Brothers—Mother's Request—Sons' Request—Sorrowing Lord's Reply
and Thoughts—Two Thrones—Though Imperfect, a Grand Character	111

CHAPTER XVIII

JOHN AND THE FAMILY OF BETHANY

John's View of a Family Group—His Relation to It—A Sad Message
and the Reply—The Lord's Delay and Concealed Purpose—A Possible
Thought of John's—John and Thomas—"Our Friend"—"Sleepeth"—John
an Eye-witness—Mary and Jesus—"Jesus Wept"—Mourning
Disciple—Glorified Father and Son—Jesus with Martha at the
Tomb—Repeated Command, "Arise"—The Release from the Tomb—John a
Companion in Joy—John's Memory of Mary—Lazarus' Tomb and Jesus'
Cross—A Tradition of Lazarus	120

CHAPTER XIX

JOHN'S MEMORIAL OF MARY

A Scene in Bethany—An Unfinished Picture—John with Manuscripts of
Matthew and Mark—A Great Event not Understood—A Joyful Meeting—A
Supper in Honor—A Fitting Place—Omitted Names—An Unnamed Woman
Named—Mary's Cruse—Interested Witnesses—An Unusual Anointing—An
Unwoven Towel—Odor of the Ointment—Judas the Grumbler—Jesus'
Defence of Mary—A Prophecy—John the Preserver of Mary's
Name—Prophecy Fulfilled—Judas and Mary—Judas and the Chief
Priests—A Group of Three—A Sublime Action—A Group of Four	128

CHAPTER XX

JOHN A HERALD OF THE KING

The Messiah-King—The Prophetic Colt—The Lord's Need—The Lord's
Heralds—Hosannas—Disciples' Thoughts—Changed Earthly
Scenes—Lamb on Earth and in Heaven—A Prophecy Recalled—Twice a
Herald	138

CHAPTER XXI

WITH THE MASTER ON OLIVET

The Lord in His Temple—His Farewell to It—Admiring Disciples—Sad
Prophecy—The Two Pair of Brothers on Olivet—A Sacred Memory—The
Poet Milman's View from Olivet—Unanswered Question—The Coming
Fall of Jerusalem—The Poet Heber's Lament Over Jerusalem	142

CHAPTER XXII

JOHN A PROVIDER OF THE PASSOVER

The Betrayer—A Lamb and a Place—Not Judas, but Peter and John—A
Secret Sign—The Goodman of the House—A New Friendship—Upper
Room—"Furnished"—"Prepared"—Paschal Lamb—Child Memories—John
and the Baptist—Temple Worship—Obeying Silver Trumpets—Slaying
of the Lamb—Chant and Response—Lamb and Lamps—Alone with
Jesus—Jerusalem Chamber—John and the Upper Room	148

CHAPTER XXIII

JOHN'S MEMORIES OF THE UPPER ROOM

The Open Door of the Upper Room—Door Ajar—Revelation by John—Two
Statements by Luke—Cause of Contention—John's Relation to the
Quarrel—Sittings at the Table—John and Judas Beside Jesus—Two
Things About Jesus—Grieved Spirit—Bethany Recalled—A Great
Contrast—Love and Reproof—Lesson Ended—A Sacred Relic—A Guest
an Enemy—Troubled Spirit—"Verily, Verily"—Looking and
Doubting—John's Gaze—"Is It I?"—Peter and the Great
Secret—Jesus' Hint of the Great Secret—Meaning of the Sop—Judas
and Satan—Departure of Judas—"It Was Night"—A New Name—A New
Command—Farewell Words and Prayer and Song—Closed Door to be
Opened Again	154

CHAPTER XXIV

ST. JOHN WITH JESUS IN GETHSEMANE

An Eye-witness—Departure from the Upper
Room—Kidron—Gethsemane—Olive Trees—John's Memories—Garden
Owner—Charge to the Nine—Mt. Moriah—Final Charge—A
Prophecy—Companions in Glory and Sorrow—A Sad Change—John Beside
Jesus—Sorrowful Soul—Charge to the Three—Jesus Alone—Jesus Seen
and Heard—Garden Angel—Agonizing Prayer—Sleeping
Disciples—Midnight Scene—Sleeping for Sorrow—Awakening
Call—Flesh and Spirit—Repeated Prayer—Victory—"Arise"—Path of
Prayer—Gathered Band—Lighted Way—Empty Upper Room—John's
Contrasted Memories—Betrayal Sign—Warning Cry—Unshrinking
Purpose—The Meeting—Traitor's Kiss—Marred Visage—Repeated
Question and Answer—Two Bands—One Request—Peter's Sword—Changed
Voice—A Captive and Legions of Angels—The Fleeing Disciples	163

CHAPTER XXV

JOHN IN THE HIGH PRIEST'S PALACE

Flight of the Nine—Captive Lord—Peter and John Following—The
Palace—Disciple Within and Disciple Without—Peter Brought In—The
First Denial—John's Watch of Peter—Peter's Tears—His
Restlessness—His Sin and John's Silence—Three Turning and
Looking—John's Pity for Peter—John and Pilate—Christ a
King—"What is Truth?"—The Mocked King—"Behold the Man"—"Behold
your King"—John the Faithful Watcher and Comforter	176

CHAPTER XXVI

JOHN THE LONE DISCIPLE AT THE CROSS
Following the Cross—Jesus Bearing the Cross—Wearing the Thorny
Crown—Great Multitude Following—"Daughters of
Jerusalem"—Calvary—John's Memories—Group of Four
Enemies—Seamless Coat—Casting Lots—Jesus and the Gamblers—Three
Marys and Salome—John their Companion—A Contrast—Other
Apostles—John and Salome—A Mother's Love—Mary's Thoughts—Sword
of Anguish—Comfort in Sorrow—Lonely Future—Loyal Son—New
Relation—Mary's Return from the Cross—Why John Her Guardian—A
Poet's Words to John—In the New Home	184

CHAPTER XXVII

JOHN THE LONE DISCIPLE AT THE CROSS—CONTINUED

"I Thirst"—"It Is Finished"—The Bowed Head—The Women and
John—His Anxious Thoughts Relieved—Pierced Side—Two
Prophecies—Prayer in Song—Joseph of Arimathæa—Nicodemus—Two
Secret Friends of Jesus—Two Gardens—The Stone Closing the
Tomb—Two Mourners at the Tomb—John's Thoughts on Leaving the Tomb
	195

CHAPTER XXVIII

JOHN AT THE TOMB

John and Mary Magdalene—Mary's Mistaken Inference—Her Report to
Peter and John—Their Hastening Toward the Tomb—John Alone at the
Tomb—Silent Witnesses—Peter's Entry and Discovery—John Within
the Tomb—The Rolled Napkin—Seeing and Believing—Lingering in the
Tomb—The Return from the Tomb—Weeping Mary—Silence of
Angels—Mary and the Angels—Jesus Unknown to Mary—"Mary" and
"Rabboni"—John's Two Records of Mary—Day of Days—Evening
Benedictions—Pierced Side—Close of John's Gospel	204

CHAPTER XXIX

"WHAT SHALL THIS MAN DO?"

An Added Chapter—Old Scenes Revived—Following Peter—Stranger on
the Shore—John and Peter—John's Remembrance of the Miracle—"Fire
of Coals"—Reverent Guests—"Lovest Thou Me?"—"Feed My Lambs and
Sheep"—An Interested Listener—A Prophecy—John Following
Peter—Question and Answer—Mistake Corrected by John—Partial
Answer to Peter's Questions—A Former Hour Recalled	212

CHAPTER XXX

ST. JOHN A PILLAR-APOSTLE IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

On a Mount in Galilee—The Great Commission—Waiting for the
Promised Comforter—Words of the Baptist Recalled—A Revived Hope
and a Question—Jesus' Reply—The Ascension—Angels' Question—"The
Upper Chamber"—Luke's Lists of the Apostles—The Lord's Mother,
Brethren and Sisters—The Day of Pentecost—A Great
Miracle—Pentecostal Gifts to John—Evening Prayer—Beautiful
Gate—Lame man—A Gift Better than Alms—John Twice a
Prisoner—Prison Angel—Preaching of Philip—John Sent to
Samaria—John and the Samaritaness—His Changed Spirit—Death of
James—The Pillar Apostles	219

CHAPTER XXXI

LAST DAYS

Last Record—Meeting of Paul and John—Years of Silence—Leaving
Jerusalem—New Home in Ephesus—City and Temple—Paul and
John—Churches of Asia Minor—John in Patmos—Solitude—The Lord's
Day—Aid to Meditation—Calm and Turmoil—A Voice and a Command—A
Contrast—"As One Dead"—The Eagle—John's Three Kinds of
Writings—The Revelation—John's Gospel—His First Epistle—The
Apostle of Love—His Second Epistle—The Apostle of
Childhood—"Little Children, Love one Another"—John's Death	231

CHAPTER XXXII

A RETROSPECT

Boyhood—The Disciple—What John Saw—What He Heard—What He Made
Known—John a Reflector of Christ—Alone in History—Our Glimpses
of Him—In Everlasting Remembrance on Earth—With His Lord in
Heaven	241

CHAPTER XXXIII

LEGENDS AND TRADITIONS OF ST. JOHN

St. John and the Robber-Chief—St. John and the Partridge—"Little
Children, Love One Another"—Miraculous Preservation from
Death—The Empty Grave—The Heaving Grave	251

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

St. John	Domenichino.	frontis
Map of the Land Where St. John Lived		19
Sea of Galilee	Old Engraving	20
Site of Bethsaida	From Photograph	22
Calm on Galilee	From Photograph	26
Virgin, Infant Jesus and St. John (Madonna della Sedia)	Raphael	32
Christ and St. John	Winterstein	35
Simeon and Anna in the Temple	Old Engraving	39
The Boy John	Andrea del Sarto	41
Jerusalem	Old Engraving	43
Joshua's Host Crossing the Jordan	Old Engraving	45
The Prophet Isaiah	Sargent	55
The Boy Jesus in the Temple	H. Hofmann	58
A Street Scene in Nazareth	From Photograph	60
Visit of Mary to Elisabeth	Old Engraving	62
The Wilderness of Judea	From Photograph	64
Traditional Place of Christ's Baptism	From Photograph	67
The Baptism of Jesus	Old Engraving	68
The First Disciples	Ittenbach	83
The Marriage at Cana	Old Engraving	85
Belshazzar's Feast	Old Engraving	87
The Hill of Samaria	Old Engraving	90
Jacob's Well	From Photograph	92
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes	Old Engraving	94
Raising the Daughter of Jairus	H. Hofmann	99
The Transfiguration	Old Engraving	106
Moses on Mt. Pisgah	Artist Unknown	109
Bethany	Old Engraving	120

Resurrection of Lazarus	Old Engraving	126
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.	Gustave Doré	133
Christ and St. John	Ary Scheffer	140
The Last Supper	Benjamin West	156
In Gethsemane	Gustave Doré	163
The Valley of Jehoshaphat	Old Engraving	165
Christ Before Caiaphas	Old Engraving	167
Christ Before Pilate (Ecce Homo)	H. Hofmann	170
Christ Bearing His Cross	H. Hofmann	185
The Virgin and St. John at the Cross	Old Engraving	192
The Descent from the Cross	Rubens	195
In the Sepulchre	H. Hofmann	199
Jesus Appearing to Mary Magdalene
(Easter Morning)	B. Plockhorst	202
The Descent of the Spirit	Old Engraving	206
St. Peter and St. John at the Beautiful Gate	Old Engraving	211
Ephesus	From Photograph	227
The Isle of Patmos	Old Engraving	231
Smyrna	Old Engraving	234
Pergamos and the Ruins of the
Church of St. John	Old Engraving	242
Ruins of Laodicea	Old Engraving	167

Map of the Land Where St. John Lived

A Life of St. John

CHAPTER I

A Home in the Blest Land, by the Sacred Sea

"Blest land of Judæa! Thrice hallowed in song,
Where the holiest of memories pilgrim like throng,
In the shade of thy palms, by the shores of thy sea,
On the hills of the beauty, my heart is with thee."
—Whittier.

A Galilean boy, a fisherman, a follower of Jesus, one of the twelve Apostles, one of the favored three, the beloved one, the Apostle of love, the Apostle of childhood, the one of all men who gave to mankind the clearest view of Jesus Christ—such was St John.

For young people he is a fitting study. To aid such is the purpose of this volume.

Let us first glance at the land where he lived, surrounded by influences that directed his life, and moulded his character.

Palestine was called by God Himself "The Glory of All Lands." He made it the home of His people the Jews, who long waited for the promised time when it should have greater glory by becoming the home of the Messiah, the Son of God. Before He was born the Jews were conquered by the Romans, and governed by them instead of the Jewish judges and kings. The country was divided into three parts. The southern was called Judæa; the middle, Samaria; and the northern, Galilee, which was the most beautiful part. It contained the hills of Galilee, and the plain and sea of Gennesaret, hallowed by the presence of Jesus, and what He there did.

At the time of which we write, two thousand years ago, Galilee was not inhabited wholly or chiefly by Jews. Other peoples, called Gentiles, were mixed with the Jewish race which continued to cultivate the land, and to tend the vineyards and olive-yards, and to dwell in the fisherman's huts and moor their boats on the sandy beach. Some Jews were artisans, working at their trades in the smaller towns. But there were vast crowds of foreigners whose life was a great contrast to that of the Jews. Their customs were those of the nations to which they belonged. They spoke their own languages. They worshiped their own false gods. Their amusements were such as they were accustomed to in their distant homes. This was especially true of the Romans who had theatres, chariot races, and gladiatorial combats, by the peaceful waters of Galilee.

A Life of St. John for the Young

About This Book

The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Life of St. John for the Young

St John—Domenichino

A Life of St. John

For the Young

BY

GEORGE LUDINGTON WEED

PREFATORY NOTE

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Map of the Land Where St. John Lived

A Life of St. John

CHAPTER I

A Home in the Blest Land, by the Sacred Sea