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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
Copyright, 1900
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.
CONTENTS
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
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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
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tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">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
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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
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colspan="2"> 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
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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
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align="left">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