Chapter 25: The Apostle John and the Robber. I want you to be even more confident that this kind of repentance brings you to the certain hope of salvation. So I will tell you a story that has been handed down and committed to memory by the Apostle John. When the tyrant Domitian finally died, John left the island of Patmos and returned to Ephesus. He was then asked to travel throughout the surrounding provinces. In one place, he would appoint overseers. In another, he would set whole churches in order.
In still another, he would ordain those who were indicated by the Spirit. Along the way, he stopped at one of the cities not far from Ephesus. Some have said that this city was Smyrna. After he had settled some other matters, he noticed a strong, handsome young man who was enthusiastic and devoted.
Looking at the newly appointed overseer, he said, "I commit this youth to you in all earnestness, in the presence of the Church and with Christ as witness." When the overseer accepted the charge and promised to fulfill his obligation, John gave him instructions and testimony. Then John returned to Ephesus. The elder took the youth who had been committed to him to his own home. He reared him, cherished him, and finally baptized him. After this, he relaxed his stricter care and guardianship.
He thought that the seal of the Lord he had set on the youth, baptism, gave him complete protection. But when the youth obtained his premature freedom, some other young men his age, who were idle, immoral, and adept at evil, corrupted him. First, they enticed him by providing expensive entertainment. Later, when they went out at night and robbed people on the highways, they took him along. Then they dared to pull off bigger things. By degrees, he came to accept their life.
He was strong-willed, so once he left the right path, he was like a hard-mouthed and powerful horse. He had taken the bit between his teeth, and he rushed with all the more force down into the depths. In time, he entirely despaired of salvation in God. He no longer desired to do small acts of evil, but great ones. Since he felt he was lost beyond all hope, he made up his mind to accept the same fate as the others, taking them and forming a band of robbers.
He quickly became the captain of the bandits, the fiercest, bloodiest, and cruelest of them all. Time passed. Some necessity emerged in the Church, so they sent for John to come to them again. When he had settled this other matter, John said, "Overseer, return the deposit which I and the Savior committed to you in the presence of the Church over which you preside." At first, the overseer was puzzled, thinking John was wrongly accusing him of mishandling money.
He couldn't believe the allegation, but neither could he disbelieve John. Finally, John clarified the matter, saying, "I demand a young man, the soul of our brother who was entrusted to you." The elder overseer, groaning deeply, burst into tears and said, "He's dead." "How did he die?" "He's dead," the overseer said, "to God." He turned wicked and abandoned the faith. And eventually, he became a robber. Now he and his band have taken possession of the mountain across from the Church.
John tore his clothes and pounded his head with a great lament. "I left a fine guard in charge of this brother's soul," he finally cried. Recovering from his grief, John said, "Someone, please bring me a horse. I need a guide to show me the way." He rode away just as he was, straight from the Church. As he approached the robbers' hideout, he was grabbed by their sentry. Neither fleeing nor begging, he cried out, "I came here so that you could waylay me.
Lead me to your captain." Meanwhile, the captain, who was fully armed, was waiting. But as soon as he recognized John, he was overcome with shame. He quickly turned and fled. John followed him with all his strength, forgetting his age, and cried out, "Why, my son, do you flee from me? Your old and unarmed father. Son, pity me. Don't fear. You still have hope of life. I will give an account to Christ for you. If need be, I will willingly endure your death as the Lord endured death for us all.
For you, I will surrender my life. Stop. Believe. Christ has sent me." The youth finally stopped, and he stood looking down. He finally threw down his weapons. Then he trembled and began to weep bitterly. When the old man approached, he embraced him. Though the young man could hardly speak because he was crying so much, he expressed his regret for his actions. That day, he was baptized a second time with tears, but he still concealed his right hand.
John assured him on oath that he would find forgiveness from the Savior. Begging him and falling on his knees, John kissed his right hand, purified by repentance. Then he led him back to the Church. Then John prayed profusely, striving beside the young man in continual fasting. Through hours of instruction, he subdued the young man's mind. In fact, John did not depart until he restored the young man to the Church. He presented the young man as a great example of true repentance and a token of new birth.
He was a trophy of the resurrection in which we hope. For at the end of the world, the angels, radiant with joy, singing hymns and opening the heavens, will receive those who truly repent in the celestial abodes. On that day, in front of everyone, the Savior himself will go to greet them and welcome them. Holding forth the eternal light that is without shadow, he will conduct them to the Father's bosom, to eternal life, to the kingdom of heaven. So believe the prophecies, the Gospels, and the apostolic words.
By living in accordance with them, lending your ears, and practicing these deeds when you die, you will see the fulfillment of these truths. For anyone who welcomes the angel of repentance in this world will not need to repent when he dies. He will not be ashamed when he sees the Savior approaching in his glory and with his army. He will not fear the fire.
On the other hand, if you choose to continue to sin perpetually in pleasures, if you prefer to indulge yourself here rather than to seek eternal life, if you turn away from the Savior who offers forgiveness, blame neither God nor riches nor the fallen flesh. Blame your own soul, which voluntarily perishes. For whoever desires salvation and asks for it vehemently and boldly, the good Father in heaven will grant true purification and eternal life.
To him, by his son Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and the dead, and by the Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, power, and eternal majesty, both now and forever, from generation to generation and from eternity to eternity. Amen.