3 John 1:13-14
13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
John ends this letter much like the apostle Paul, glad to have been able to share what is on God’s heart as well as his own, yet with a deeper desire to meet in person. This face to face longing of human fellowship is a reflection of the desire to meet with God face to face as Moses did (Exodus 33:11, 1 Corinthians 13:12). It is also that relationship with the flock that shepherds long for and which fellow sheep bleat for. We may write to each other, and that leaves a lasting reference to look back on, but the moments of care shared in each other’s presence often leaves a greater impression on the heart and mind. For scripture, however, God’s lives in us as Spirit, and we speak spiritually face to face as well. Each of us in Christ longs to stand before Him one day that never ends, yet the letters left to us come alive off the page into our hearts and minds by the mind of Christ in us (1 Corinthians 2:16). He has written His word in our hearts and minds, and we are more than just content with that until we see Him face to face with knees to ground. His peace is with us as John reminds the reader here. Let us so greet each other by name, personally and as fellow heirs of this wonderful life in Christ. This is His love we know and share both face to face and heart to heart. Amen!
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