Spotlight on Symbols #9 - John

 Apostles’ Shields

John’s shield is most intriguing because it pictures a serpent rising out of a chalice.  The tradition was that a priest of Diana tried to poison John.  However, as he made the sign of the cross over the wine, the poison turned into a serpent and slithered out of the cup!  Of course, that is fanciful, but it does remind us that enemies of the Gospel wanted to be rid of him.  Other histories claim that numerous attempts were made to kill John, including boiling him in a cauldron of oil.  But none was successful.  Finally, his enemies concluded that banishing him to Patmos would ensure that his message would not spread.  But it was from there that John produced his Gospel, Epistles and the Revelation! 

Though the snake incident did not occur, it does remind us of the Lord’s promise that though the serpent would bruise Christ’s heel, Christ would crush his head by his death and resurrection (Ge. 3:15).  That victory has brought us peace which we now pass to one another.