Let me begin with a personal memory. This day would have been my son’s 64th birthday, but he died unexpectedly in 2019. So many memories! But one thing that came to mind as I read this week’s text was something my son said when he chaired the Staff-Parish Relations Committee of a United Methodist congregation in Michigan. He said, “Some folks in the congregation seem to be surprised that we hold the staff to higher standards than what is expected in secular work.” What do you think?
In 3 John, the writer contrasts Diotrephes with Demetrius. Diotrephes was living by standards of the world. Demetrius was living by the standards of God. For the writer, it boiled down to this: “Whoever does good is from God…” (3 John 11). That’s a pretty high standard!
Did you notice that this letter writer blasts Diotrephes (3 John 10) for the very thing that the writer of 2 John tells the church to do (2 John 10).? What I learn from that is that context can shape whether something is good or not. The standard of “love” is always right, but determining what is loving varies from time to time. (For example, punching someone in the chest in a fit of anger is not good; applying that same pressure doing CPR to help someone who is not breathing is a good thing.)
Many of the epistles in the New Testament are written to congregations, probably read before a gathering of the faithful. On the other hand, 3 John is addressed to an individual, Gaius. This reminds me of the importance of leadership. If you have been asked to head up some task in your congregation, read these verses and change that name to your name. Would there be rejoicing because of your faithfulness (v. 3)? Would there be celebration because of your love for the strangers (v. 5)? Would there be a reminder of how you have offered support to the mission of the Church (v. 8)?
Something jumped out at me when I just now re-read 3 John. Note how it closes: “Greet the friends there, each by name.” It’s one thing to say “I just love everybody there” and another thing to say “I love Hagar; I love Demetrius; I love Peter; I love Rebecca.” I am reminded that indeed God loves all of us, but also God loves each of us. For me, it makes a difference when I insert MY name!
This letter is very practical. There is little of abstract theology in these verses, but notice how the writer acknowledges the practical application of the Good News of God. He speaks of good health (v.2). He enjoys friendly visits (v. 3). He sees other believers as members of the family (v. 4). Help for people who are traveling (v. 6). There is support, probably financial (v. 8). Simply getting together (v. 14).
Finally, after pondering how much this letter must have meant to Gaius, hearing from someone who had shared the faith journey. So, I immediately stopped and sent an email to someone with whom I had not been in touch in several years. Why don’t you do the same?
