Who Do I Relate To? John?

We're almost finished with our group of apostles. Only two left. And, yet, there is so much to say about these next two apostles I plan to break each one up into two smaller posts.

Have you ever wondered what the perfect age is to do something big? John is the younger brother of the apostle James. Yet, the five books he wrote weren't written until late in his life. Just goes to show it's never too late to accomplish something that can affect many lives.

Have you ever tried to take on another person's battle and had it come back to bite you? One thing I missed last week was that both John and James quickly asked to destroy a town simply because it wouldn't let Jesus and his group stay the night. No matter how they disliked this rejection, they were rebuked for this. (Luke 9:51-56)

Have you ever been part of a church or Bible study that felt only they had the right answers and were on the right track; everyone else was in the wrong? John thought, at one time, only their group should be able to cast out demons. After instructing another group not to do it, he was rebuked by Jesus. (Mark 9:38-41; Luke 9:49-50)

Have you ever held back totally believing someone's statement until you could see for yourself? I know I have, and so did John. He didn't believe Mary Magdalene when she reported the tomb was empty. He had to see for himself. Only then, he confesses, did he believe what she said. I can so relate to this. (John 20:1-10)

Have you ever wished you could learn a lesson once and not have to repeat it again before it becomes a real part of your life? The word John used to describe himself addresses this. He is unique in that he does not called himself by name, but instead refers to himself as the 'other disciple' or 'the disciple Jesus loved.' A word study showed me that John choose the word describing a pupil who once the lesson is heard applies it to his life and adheres to it as his rule of conduct. Wow.

He was learning for keeps, not just for the tickling of his ears.

And, it's obvious he did that. At the start of Jesus' ministry he was one of the "Sons of Thunder" but by the time of the cross Jesus saw fit to ask John to care for his mother. (John 19:25-27)

He must have changed that much. And knowing it's possible, he encourages believers in their learning and application process in his books. It's no wonder his books are among my favorites.

John is a great example to all of us that no matter how rough the start may be there is always hope for change.