From the hour in which John stood with the Baptist who told him to behold Jesus, his eye was upon Him, until, because there was no more for him to behold of his Lord on earth, the angels asked, “Why stand ye gazing?” Having seen Him “lifted up” on a beclouded cross, he saw Him “taken up” as a glorious “cloud received Him out of sight.”

John heard wondrous things.  He became familiar with his Lord’s voice, its tones of instruction and exhortation, warning and reproof, invitation and affection, forgiveness and benediction, prayer and praise, depression and agony, joy and triumph.  He was no careless listener to the words spoken to Jesus—­those of inquiry and pleading, hypocrisy and contempt, mockery and deceit, hatred and love.  Beside his Lord, he heard saintly voices, and the voice of the Father.

Much that John saw and heard when with his Lord he has made known.  We imagine some things were too tender and sacred for others’ ears:  concerning such his lips were sealed.  Other things were too precious for silence:  of such he is the most distinct echo.  His Gospel is often a commentary on the other three.  He was an eye-witness of most of the events of which he tells.  His Gospel is rich with illuminated texts.  Having the best understanding of “the words of the Lord Jesus,” he is the fullest reporter of His teachings.  Having the deepest insight into the heart of hearts of his Lord, he is its clearest revealer.  While many others grasped separate truths, he placed them side by side in harmony and unity, and thus held them up and revealed them to mankind.  His Lord’s words were the most sacred treasures of his memory:  his greatest joy was to bring them forth for others to view and admire, that they too might be inspired thereby to “love and good works.”  Without erasing aught from the pictures drawn by his fellow-Evangelists, he has added to, and filled in, and re-touched with a sympathizing hand.  So familiar had he become with his Lord’s countenance, with all its varied expressions, and so skilful was he in reproducing them, that his composite portrait is the most beautiful and impressive of all attempts to portray “the human face divine.”

Standing outside of some grand cathedral, before its stained window, we mark the figures with their rich depth of color.  Passing within we see the same figures, but the outline is more distinct; the colors are richer, and with more harmonious blending.  So sometimes we seem to stand with the three Evangelists outside the Gospel Cathedral; and then with John within.

Like Ruth in the field of Boaz he followed the reapers—­the first three Evangelists in the field of their Lord,—­to “glean even among the sheaves.”  He “gleaned in the field until evening,” the close of the long day of his life, “and beat out that he had gleaned,” and gave it to others.  There was not need for them to ask him, “Where hast thou gleaned?” There was only one field from which such harvest could be gathered.  Rather could they say as Naomi to Ruth, “Blessed is he that did take knowledge of thee.”