2 John 12–13 (ESV)
Final Greetings
12 Though
I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.
We have been without power for three days due to a storm. I am so tired that I can’t keep my eyes open. Why I left these closing words off yesterday, but thank the Lord that I did. Because I’m
going to bed early (written Friday night). Verse 12 needs to be read by all today’s youth and young adults, who have forsaken face to face communication and now text what should be spoken. John had a lot more to say, but he wanted to speak
it face to face. He wanted full communication, which written or texted messages cannot deliver. Face to face contains voice inflection, pauses, and many more characteristics that cannot be conveyed through print or texting. I remember a commercial
for Southwest Airlines that showed a man (the boss) whose company was going down because they had gotten away from the basics. They had neglected their clients by saving money and not seeing them in person, but instead calling them over the phone.
Profitability rose for a short time and then the clients began leaving. The boss is handing out airline tickets to the employees to get out of the office and go see their clients in person. There was one ticket left. They asked “What
about the last ticket?” The boss said that was for him, he was going to visit an old friend. It wasn’t said, but you knew it was a BIG client that had left. The boss knew the importance of face to face communication, but who had
sacrificed it for the sake of money. I think this captures John’s attitude and should ring strange into the ears of the youth today who think it nothing to break up with someone by texting, or firing someone over the phone. Do you want to
be proposed to by a text message or by someone you love in person?
I thought I was tired, and this would be quick... but I was wrong. I pray: O Lord, help me to not forsake the gift of face to
face communication. Help me to remember that the Gospel lesson can be spread through other means, but face to face is the best. Amen.