John

“I came to Ephesus so I could discuss Jesus with you,” Polycarp said. “I thought you might come to see me,” he said. “I talked with your friend, Ignatius, and he told me you would probably visit with me.” “I have heard of your church and of your writings,” Polycarp said. “I have dedicated my life to teaching. I feel like I am being called. I want to know the truth.” “You are welcome to stay,” John said. “We have at least two services a week, and we study Jesus’ lessons.” “I plan to stay in Ephesus for a while,” he said. “I am very interested in learning directly from you.” “I am busy, writing. You can help Abraham write my memories of traveling with Jesus,” he said. “Where is your home?” “I am from Philippi,” he said. “Professor Thomas is my supervisor at the university. I have read several very informative lessons that you wrote.” “I have written many lessons,” John said. “I am still writing.” “I stay very busy reading old scrolls,” Polycarp said. “When I read a scroll you sent to Smyrna, I wanted to meet you.” “You must do a lot of reading,” he said “I believe you are a great writer, and that the Holy Spirit is with you,” he said. “I will plan to study with you each day. I am a young man, and you need to teach young men about Jesus.” “I teach twice a week,” he said. “I will talk with you at other times.” “Have you read any material written by Matthew?” Polycarp asked. “Yes, I have read some of Matthew’s writings,” he said. “I am certain he read Mark’s writings before he began writing.” Polycarp looked at John and smiled. “Learning directly from a person is much better than studying a scroll,” John said. “I have a scribe. He will not bother you. He writes what I say, and when we get home, he transcribes my words and phrases into Greek.” “I have met Abraham,” Polycarp said. “I am looking forward to speaking more with him.” “We are happy to have you with us,” John said. “You are correct I am an old man, and I should teach a young man about Jesus. Our challenge is different today than when Matthew wrote. He focused his message primarily for those who were familiar with the Jewish religion.” “Jesus is the messiah of the Jewish religion,” Polycarp said. “If they will study carefully, they can identify Jesus in the scriptures.” “The church’s focus must change,” John said. “We need to bring educated, wealthy, Greek speaking people to Jesus. I am writing so both Jews and those who follow Greek philosophy will understand that Jesus is eternal. He is the word. He is Logos.” Polycarp looked at John. “You must have read material written by Philo,” he said. “His writings are great supplements to the scriptures.” “Yes, I have,” he said. “I also enjoy reading the wisdom materialand the manuscripts of Heraclitus.” “Too many are teaching the wrong message,” Polycarp said. “I don’t know where they got their ideas. They must have read the wrong scrolls.” “I think I am the last of those who traveled with Jesus,” John said. “Most have been killed. I was spared death and given Abraham to care for me.” “I have read material written by and for some of the other original apostles, but you are the only one I have been able to talk with directly,” Polycarp said. “It is an honor to be with you.” “You might find some interesting scrolls in our library,” John said. “Many of them were written by Paul or about Paul.” “I am looking forward to visiting the library,” he said. “I have heard it contains many scrolls.” “Tell the librarian you know me,” John said. “He might allow you to read scrolls that aren’t made available to the public.” John looked at Polycarp, and he made the sign of a cross in the air. “I hope they have some of Paul’s original dictations,” he said. “I am reading and making notes about everything I can find that is original to those who knew Jesus.” “Yes, you will like the library,” John said. “It is very impressive.” “I also want to see the university,” he said. “It is larger than the university where I work.” “Abraham will take you. He can show you the university and the lecture hall,” he said. “Someday, you might deliver some of my lessons to the students.” John gave Polycarp a large smile. “Long ago, I planned to visit all seven churches that I have written about,” John said. “I made it to Smyrna. Someone will have to visit the other churches for me.” Polycarp stayed with John in Ephesus for a long time and helped complete John’s writings. Abraham and Polycarp made two copies of the scrolls. After they became good friends and with John’s blessings, Polycarp went to Smyrna. He met Menahem and shared his lesson with him. After a long visit with Menahem, he returned to Philippi. Polycarp and John sent messages to each other, and each tried to outdo the other by writing the most accurate and interesting Jesus lesson.