Speaking of repentance and redemption, our pastor told an extra-Biblical story about the Apostle John, said to have occurred late in life, after his exile on the isle of Patmos. You can read the whole story in detail in this excerpt from Eusebius of Caesarea’s Ecclesiastical History, written in the 4th Century. The short version goes something like this:

The Apostle John had entrusted the care of a young believer that he really liked into the hands of a fellow bishop. When John returned to the area a few years later, he asked for an accounting and was told that the young man had fallen in with a bad crowd and had become head of a murdering, thieving gang.

John’s response was immediate: “Bring me a horse! And someone to take me to where he is.” John is captured by the bandit’s gang. The young man, armed, runs away, and John runs after him. (Reminds one of Luke 15.) “Why, my son, do you flee from me? I am old and unarmed. Don’t you see? There is still hope of life for you. I will give account to God for you.” The young man repents, and the account ends this way:

But John, pledging himself, and assuring him on oath that he would find forgiveness with the Saviour, besought him, fell upon his knees, kissed his right hand itself as if now purified by repentance, and led him back to the church. And making intercession for him with copious prayers, and struggling together with him in continual fastings, and subduing his mind by various utterances, he did not depart, as they say, until he had restored him to the church, furnishing a great example of true repentance and a great proof of regeneration, a trophy of a visible resurrection.” – Eusebius, quoting Clement

Our pastor used the story primarily to show that John, author of 1 John, which we are getting ready to study, was a real person. Someone who cared about people. But, of course, it’s a wonderful story that participating with the wrong crowd doesn’t have to be the last word.

And if you don’t like extra-biblical stories, what about Jesus himself going after Saul of Tarsus? (See Acts 9) And Barnabas went after John Mark who had quit the missions trip earlier.

Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. (Acts 15.37 – 39, NIV)

We don’t hear any more from Barnabas in Acts, but Barnabas had the last word. Hear a little of Paul’s last request to Timothy:

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. (2 Timothy 4.9 – 11, NIV, emphasis mine)