November 18
“Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true,” 3 John 12.
There are two men with the name of Demetrius who are mentioned in the Bible. The first one was a silversmith in Ephesus. He made silver shrines of the heathen goddess Diana, which was a very profitable business for all of the silver craftsmen in Ephesus. When Paul, Timothy, Erastus, Gaius, and Aristarchus came to Ephesus and proclaimed that there is only one true God and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the silversmiths’ business was in danger of being destroyed. There was a good possibility that people would forsake the worship of the goddess Diana and be converted to Christianity. The silversmiths stirred up the inhabitants of the city, and a riot resulted. Eventually, the city clerk quieted the crowd and admonished them for their uproar, and they all went home.
The Demetrius of whom John writes stands in sharp contrast to the Demetrius from Ephesus. He had a good reputation of being a faithful Christian. He was well known by Gaius, to whom John’s third Epistle is addressed, and he was also well known by the members of the congregation to whom John refers in his third Letter. And John and his coworkers also testified to the wonderful Christian reputation of Demetrius.
This Demetrius was also well known for being a Christian who knew and believed and stood up for the truth of God’s Word. This would mean that he had a good knowledge of both the Law and the Gospel. He knew the seriousness of sin, and he knew Jesus Christ as being the Son of God and the only Savior for sinners. He had a living faith in both word and deed.
The example of the Demetrius from Ephesus is an example to avoid. The example of the Demetrius to whom John refers is an example to follow.
We are encouraged elsewhere in Holy Scripture to follow the example of faithful Christians. Twice in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul urged them, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ,” 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1. In his Epistle to the Philippians, Paul tells them whose example they should follow and whose example they should avoid. He wrote, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ,” Philippians 3:17-18. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews urges us, “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” Hebrews 6:12.
In each instance, we are reminded that if we are followers of faithful Christians, we also are followers of Christ, our Lord and Savior from sin, death, and the devil. We are reminded of the words of the hymn writer:
“’Come, follow Me,’ the Savior spake,
‘All in My way abiding;
Deny yourselves, the world forsake,
Obey My call and guiding.
Oh, bear the cross, whate’er betide;
Take My example for your guide.
I am the Light, I light the way,
A godly life displaying;
I bid you walk as in the day,
I keep your feet from straying.
I am the Way, and well I show
How you must sojourn here below.’” Amen.