3 John 1
[1] “The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”
There is no doubt that John is an aged apostle in this brief epistle. He is in the final stretch of his ministry, and is preparing to make his grand exit soon. He uses the word “elder” in this verse, which can describe the apostle both spiritually and physically. He has something to say to a dear Christian brother that will certainly be a great encouragement to him.
I thought about how important it is to have the encouragement of elders. I use the term “elder” just as I see John in our text. God has placed Christian people in all of our lives that fit this profile. You see, John has the years behind him, the yearning within him and the yonder before him. He could offer this brother a level of encouragement that others might not be able to give. While youth may give a man a wealth of opportunities, years can give a man a wealth of observation. It is with this wealth that he is able to encourage others to keep pressing on in the truth.
The testimony and the tenderness of John are both seen in this verse. As an elder he had kept a good testimony, proven himself to be qualified and has proven to have been faithful through the seasons of life. He now expresses his love for this brother in the truth of God’s word. Names and faces come to mind when I think of the people God has placed in my life to encourage me in the truth. Take the time today to reflect on those “elders” God has placed in your life to encourage you in the faith. They have loved us, instructed us and been tremendous examples of how a Christian is supposed to live. Today we pay tribute to “The Elder”.