A Humble Life

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven Spirits before His throne. (Revelation 1:3-4) 
 
Yesterday we talked about how John was fearless and faithful. And while those are both characteristics we can learn to develop more of after reading about John, we can also learn about humility from reading John’s writings.  
 
John was a very humble man. Do you realize that in his Gospel, he rarely refers to himself by name? He refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved.” That is why he had the moniker, “John, the beloved.” He wrote that. He described himself as “the one whom Jesus loved.”  
 
However, in the Book of Revelation, in verse four, it's just “John.” He is describing himself as the messenger, but it's just “John.” He didn't say, “John, the only one of the apostles who made it all the way to the cross.” He didn't say, “John who made it all the way to the cross and has been faithful more than anyone else. He has received a word that nobody else has ever had.” He was not embellishing anything. He was not giving the background of what gave him the right to share this. It is just “John.”  
 
Remember that as you read and study the book of Revelation, you’re reading the writings of one of God's choice messengers who saw his life as a conduit to honor Christ, not for Christ to honor John. May the same be said about us, that we choose to live our lives, seeking to honor Christ, rather than looking for God to do something for us.