“There was reclining on Jesus' breast one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.”
(John 13:23 NASB)
The disciple John, a young fisherman from Judea, made a life-changing decision when he decided to follow Jesus. He partnered with his brother James in this endeavor – forsaking his past, to strike out upon a new path – a path of trust, a journey of love, a discovery of redemption, peace and forgiveness. His young heart was eager and teachable, his spirit open to God, his heart willing to grow and serve.
As his journey progressed as a follower of the Rabbi, he listened, he questioned, he learned, he prepared and he remained faithful to the calling he had received from his Messiah.
John
was known as the “Evangelist” and appropriately so as his life
exhibited a commitment to learning, compassion for others and an
intimacy with his Savior. He heard his Savior's heartbeat. He
reclined at table with him during the Last Supper, and he never
forgot the lessons he learned. He received free evangelism training from the Master Teacher Himself and then in turn shared
that training with others through example and writings. His
teachable heart became a leader's heart.
Now,
two centuries later, we have his letters and writings, life-breathed
from the Master Teacher to an eager young student-- “the one whom
Jesus loved.” Inspired of God, the Gospel of John is alive with
the story of God's redemptive work through His one and only Son,
Jesus Christ. Today, these writings have the power to lead new
believers down the same dusty roads that John and Jesus traveled
together, experiencing life together, and spreading the good news
through evangelism.
“If
you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John
8:31b-32 NASB)
Since
1893, The Pocket Testament League has been sharing John's Gospel and
New Testaments to those in need thus spreading the good news to a
hurting world. Helen Cadbury, it's founder said: “If only we
could get people to read the Book for themselves it will surely lead
them to Christ.”
Her
vision lives on today through the vast outreach of The Pocket
Testament League which inspires believers to listen to their Savior's
heartbeat, to abide in His word, and to share that Word with passion
and authenticity. The League equips believers with countless
evangelism tools and educational materials to support this
goal such as pocket versions of the Gospel of John, children's
resources, training programs, daily devotionals, Bible
studies, and website banners. All meant to equip Christ followers
with the power of Jesus' word to heal, to encourage, to strengthen
and to lead a hurting world into the saving grace of God's redemption
plan.
From
a Savior's heartbeat . . . to John's heart . . . to yours.