When you read Biblical stories, sometimes they can seem rather emotionless. Or laconic. We westerners have got too used to fireworks and heart-breaking drama. But when you find a way to look past this reserved language of old, you'll find poignant and most beautiful narratives, full of emotions and action.

I preached one of those stories yesterday morning in my church. It was a few years ago when I read through the book of Revelation for couple of times and I suddenly discovered the story in its first chapter. The story of the meeting of John and Jesus. Man, ever since I've thought of it as one of the most beautiful stories in all of the Scriptures. Just think of it - John was Jesus' young friend and disciple. They did awesome things (Jesus did, that is, most of the time His friends seemed to be simply puzzled or scared), John saw Him work and teach and die. And just when it looked like the adventure was over and their cause had failed miserably and it was time to turn back to fishing boats, Jesus came back, alive and all. Which gave these young guys even a greater purpose and task. And so they worked and preached and fought for the Kingdom's cause for decades. John saw the destruction of Jerusalem and must have expected an imminent return of Jesus. But nothing happened. His closest friends took off to far-away countries or got killed in Rome, and he got older and older. And then, when he was really old and tired, he got arrested and deported again so he couldn't even spend his retirement days with his people. Such a sad story really. And then one day on Patmos he hears this thundering voice behind him and although it has been fifty or sixty years since he last heard this voice, he recognises it. He turns around, and there He is - Jesus, his rabbi and friend. It's been long time since they last met. It's just that now John is an old fragile man and Jesus is this massive King of the universe who holds the keys to death and life. What a reunion that must have been! Two old friends back together after all this time...

I called my sermon Old Friends.

I might have or might have not gotten emotional for couple of times while preaching.

And I still can't get this picture and this story out of my head. Because this story reminds me that the greatest reunions are yet to come. Old friends will get together again.