Tuesday, May 10, 2011
John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
AND TWO OTHERS
Simon Peter we know. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, we know. They formed the inner circle who were privileged to witness the raising of Jairus' daughter. They alone had witnessed Jesus' meeting with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. They were Jesus' special companions in the Garden of Gethsemane. Surely this group would receive Christ's special attention after He was risen from the dead. And Thomas had already received special attention from Jesus a week after Easter, while Nathanael had from the start been declared by the Savior to be "a true Israelite in whom there is no guile" (John 1:47). It is not difficult to imagine such pillars of the New Testament church being sought out again by Jesus.
But there were two others, whom John did not bother to name. We know of nothing special that they had done or witnessed. They could just as well have been you and me, who are also not recorded by name in the New Testament! And therein lies our great comfort. Jesus does not stay away because a couple of common folk are in the group. He comes also to you and me. He died for us, too, and freely forgives our sins, too. He comforts us in sorrow, strengthens us in weakness, heals us in sickness, and promises to be with us always, no less than He did for Peter, James, John, Andrew, Phillip, Nathanael, Thomas, Matthew, James of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot.
I the Lord will bless and keep you
And give you peace;
I the Lord will smile upon you
And give you peace.
(Worship Supplement 2000, 800:4)
