Well, it was a little after 1 AM this time and I asked the Lord, “What do you have for me this time?”
In my Spirit I hear, “John 123.”
So, I’m like OK, what’s that mean? Then I get it, it is John and all the verses that have those 3 numbers in their reference in that order. I started with the 2 most obvious – John 1:23 and 12:3. Then I thought about the other 3 Johns and tried to figure out if or how they fit and that’s how each of them and John 1:2-3 were added. We are going to learn together what He is trying to show us in these passages as a collection.
As is the underlying theme throughout the entire Bible and having been written by the “one that Jesus loved”, there is no surprise when we can see the same in each of these passages. Starting from first to last as the appear in the scriptures let’s take a quick look at each verse or passage individually and its basic message.
- John 1:2-3 – He, Jesus, was with God in the beginning and through HIm everything was made.
- John 1:23 – John, the cousin of Jesus, was declaring his purpose and calling – to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus.
- John 12:3 – Mary anoints the feet of Jesus in recognition and worship of Him as Messiah and Lord of All.
- 1 John 1:2-3 – John testifies to all that he saw and heard from Jesus and declares that He was who he said he was and was declaring this truth so that others could join in the joy of that faith,
- 2 John 1:2-3 – The Truth, Jesus, is IN us and thus WITH us and because of this we have grace, mercy and peace from the Father.
- 3 John 1:2-3 – John blesses the readers praying that every area of their lives would prosper and be well even as their soul was doing well. He acknowledged and encouraged their continued faithfulness to following Christ.
So, what message is there in these verses for us in the here and now? Well, that is really a trick question, because it really depends on how deep one is willing to dig into each of these individually. The deeper one looks at them individually, then obviously the deeper their meaning as whole. For now however, let me share my take on just looking at them as they are on the surface level.
By faith we have come to believe that Jesus is the Son of God; He is The Word that was with God and was God in the beginning and through Him everything was created. We have believed the testimonies of John and others of what they heard and saw from Jesus and have put our faith in Him as the Messiah, and personal Savior and the Savior of the World. Having done so, we are now in Him and He is in us, just as He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. Thus, because we are in Him, then we have Grace, Mercy and Peace with the Father. Having such love and favor from Him, we should humbly, come before Him and pour our lives out in faithful worship and service to Him so that our lives will be a sweet smelling fragrance just as the perfume that Mary anointed Jesus with was. Likewise, now having our own testimony of all that we have seen and heard from Him and all that He has done in our own lives now is the time for us to be the ones stand of as John and be His witnesses declaring “Declare the Way of the Lord.” and doing all that we can to introduce others to The Life, and all that He can do in lives of all whom we come in contact with.
Well, that’s my first “surface level” take. I encourage you to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to you and give you revelation and understanding of these passages for yourself. It is VERY likely that He will show you something completely different. Please reach out and let me know what He shows you so that I can be inspired, encouraged and strengthened by His revelation to you as well.
In closing I join with John’s prayer for those to whom he was writing –
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.3 John 1:2
In His Humble Service,
G. David Tidwell
[2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:2-3
[23] John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” John 1:23
[3] Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3
[2] because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: [3] Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 2 John 1:2-3
[2] Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. [3] It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 3 John 1:2-3