BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusনমুনা

Pastors are the shepherds of the church, and they follow the example of Jesus, the “good shepherd,” who calls each of his sheep by name (John 10:3-11). This deeply personal concern for the Church and its leaders shines through each of John’s letters. In today’s reading, we see the elder’s attentive love for his sheep as he pastors the church community in Ephesus through a rocky season.

Churches in that region had recently experienced many people breaking away from them, leading to hostility and controversy. So John sends these letters to provide comfort and direction. Repeating major themes from 1 John, both 2 and 3 John get straight to the point, emphasizing two key dangers facing this community: people wielding deception and harm in the community and people treating others poorly.

Notice the tight-rope this loving pastor walks. On one hand, he teaches Jesus followers to deal with sin and take falsehood seriously. On the other hand, he tells them to do all of that with love. Jesus’ ultimate command is to love one another (2 John 1:5-6).

John’s letters weave together warning, rebuke, encouragement, clear communication, and relationship maintenance—all part of the pastoral calling. Of special note are the terms of endearment the elder uses to address his audience, such as brother, lady, children, friend, sister, and dear one. The details may seem small, but together they communicate great concern and care from the pastor to his people. After all, Jesus too had a deeply personal ministry, and it’s Jesus’ example that John urges his readers to follow.

Though these letters are short and less complex than other New Testament epistles (we’re looking at you, Romans), their encouraging words are long-standing. They move all who seek to care for others well toward deeper, more loving relationships.

Reflection Questions

• The elder encourages Gaius to welcome the missionaries with hospitality. Where else in the Scriptures do you find encouragement toward welcoming the sojourner? What does this reveal about the priority of hospitality for the people of God?
• Where else in the New Testament do you find warnings against false teachers? Why do you suppose the early Church was so susceptible to these threats? What does John suggest is the antidote to these teachers?