Four in the Afternoon
- John Gillis
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
“So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon .”
—John 1:39 (NIV)
When John sat down to write his Gospel, decades had passed since that first quiet day by the Jordan. By then, he was an old man—likely the last living apostle. He had witnessed miracles, faced persecution, seen Jerusalem fall, and carried the weight of a church learning how to walk by faith. And still, what came to mind wasn’t the thunder of Pentecost or the vision of Revelation—it was a single afternoon.
“It was about four in the afternoon.”
In that line, we see not just the historian, but the heart of a disciple. John remembered the hour—the exact moment—when his life changed. He never names himself in the story, but we know he was there. Quiet. Observing. Changed forever by an invitation: “Come and see.”
And it’s not just a memory—it’s a testimony. John understood that small encounter began something eternal. It didn’t start with a crowd or a miracle, just a few searching hearts and a Rabbi who saw what they could become. The world didn’t notice, but He did. That’s the power of God’s work—it starts small, but it never stays that way.
We often think God’s work has to begin on a grand scale—with confidence, clarity, or some type of dramatic sign. But the wisdom of reflection and age tells us that God delights in the humble start. A quiet conversation. A whispered prayer. A hesitant first step. These moments, seemingly small and forgettable in their time, often become the very foundation stones of a transformed life. What feels insignificant in the moment is, in truth, where eternity begins to break
“Do not despise these small beginnings,
for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
—Zechariah 4:10 (NIV)
As you reflect back on the moments of your life, it can be healing to remember not just the milestones, but the beginnings. The small decisions. The quiet acts of obedience. The ordinary afternoons that, looking back, became turning points in your story.
God remembers four in the afternoon. And maybe you do too.
Reflection Questions
When you think back, what are some of your “four in the afternoons”?
Are there small beginnings in your life that turned out to matter deeply?
What does this remind you about how God sees your story?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for starting small. Thank You that the things that seem quiet and unnoticed are not forgotten by You. Help me remember the moment I first heard Your voice—and let that memory shape the way I finish this race. Even now, You are still working, still calling, still walking beside me.
Amen.