If people could read one line on your tombstone 2,000 years from now, what would you hope they would read?

In a short letter, way back at the end of our Bibles, we learn the names of two church leaders. Outside of this letter, no further knowledge of these men exists. Scholars know nothing more of their past or futures. Only their mention in this short note from John to his friend Gaius reveals anything about them.

John first wrote of Diotrephes—who loves to be first. Diotrephes opposed the influence of John and other followers of Jesus. He spread rumors, refused to host traveling believers, and even stopped others from doing so. John goes to far as to refer to Diotrephes as evil.

Contrast that description with Demetrius—well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. John commended Demetrius for his service to the people around him and encouraged Gaius to engage with such a good man.

Diotrephes loved his position, loved to be first, loved all the attention and adornments and power that come to a leader. He cherished control. The work of the Lord dragged behind the work of keeping Diotrephes in the limelight.

Demetrius walked in the truth he professed. He was ok with being first, or second or fifteenth, or twenty-third. I picture him patiently waiting at the back of the church buffet line, letting others fill their plates first, then helping wash the dishes.

Demetrius served others—Diotrephes used them.

Pretty crappy line on a tombstone—He loved to be first—but that’s what Diotrephes earned. Demetrius, for his humble service, reaped a beautiful epitaph—well spoken of by the truth—and we gain encouragement from his example today.

I’m sure we’ll meet Demetrius in glory, where he’s probably holding one of the pearly gates open for us to enter.

3 John in week forty-eight of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Javier Quiroga