Dear Members and Friends,

           John’s Gospel is the only gospel to give some indication of authorship. That said, the identification of the author is not a name but a title, The Beloved Disciple (John 21:20-24). The gospel actually names the beloved disciple in five places.

•      He is reclining with Jesus at the table in the upper room (John 13:23) where he asks Jesus who it is that will betray him.

•      He is at the crucifixion (John 19:26-27) where Jesus tells his mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the beloved disciple, he says, “Here is your mother.”

•      On Easter morning, when Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb, she runs to tell the beloved disciple and Peter (John 20:2-10). The two rush to the empty tomb, and the beloved disciple is the first to reach it. However, Peter is the first to enter.

•      In the final chapter, The Beloved Disciple is mentioned three times. He is one of the disciples involved in the miraculous catch of fish (John 21:7) that recognized the resurrected Jesus. He is also named by Jesus, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:20-22)

•      And finally, the remark of The Beloved Disciple that they are the author of the text.

           It is possible that the author didn’t identify themselves because their audience already knew their name. I like to think that they were intentional about using the title to be an invitation. For any of us, and all of us who seek to be Christ’s Beloved Disciple, we are invited to be present—a witness at the table and at the cross, a witness at the empty tomb and of the resurrection. May we be present in the moments that matter to Jesus and to his Church.

Grace and Peace,

Daren Hofmann