We're almost done. Only two apostles left to cover. Up next... John, the other half of the Sons of Thunder.
When I compare the two sets of brothers who followed Jesus, there is a difference I see in the scriptures. Peter and Andrew are rarely in the same scene, leading us to assume they learned their own lessons as students of the Messiah. James and John, on the other hand, while they still had separate situations, they experienced so many lessons together.
Rebuked for wanting a town destroyed because of the town's rejection of the group. (Lk 9) Watching Jairus's daughter healed. (Lk 8, Mk 5) Experiencing Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus as he transformed. (Mt 17, Mk 9, Lk 9) Requesting a special position in heaven (Mt 20, Mk 10) Falling asleep when asked to pray and keep watch. (Mt 20, Mk 14, Lk 22) Receiving correction when he and the others stopped outsiders from performing miracles in Jesus's name. (Mk 9)
I am taken by their relationship. How many of us have a relative, or a friend, that continues to closely walk through life lessons with us? What about being part of a group that thinks their way is the only way to worship or do Bible Study? Can you relate to any of this? In some ways, I can.
As I mentioned before, John was his own man. As the younger brother he left the family business for a time to follow John the Baptizer. He ended up living a long life of speaking, teaching, performing miracles, possibly overseeing the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, and writing to the saints. For a time, he was banished to Patmos then freed. And, though many tried to kill him, he was the only apostle to die of natural causes.
Before we look at the post-resurrection John, let's back up a little. In the garden of Gethsemane, he showed guts when he intentionally follows the angry mob that arrests Jesus. How many of us would follow an impassioned group that grabbed a friend or teacher? How many would use a favorable history with the leaders to enter the building where he's taken? Then turn around, make a way through the horde, retrieve a member of the group in order to bring that person through the door into the midst of the crowd? (Jn 18)
John did. But his bravery didn't stop there.
At the cross, surrounded by Roman guards and a taunting crowd, he stood by the women followers as they watched Jesus die. That took courage. Running to the tomb after Mary Magdalene's report took some boldness as well.
But he also had that I-need-to-see-for-myself attitude when he ran to the tomb to check it out. (Jn 20:1-10) Can you relate to wanting to see something for yourself before you accept a report? Unfortunately, I can.
I also see him as being observant. When the group ends up back in Galilee. (Jn 21) He is the first one to recognize Jesus on the beach. I can just see him lighting up when he realizes who's back. Perhaps it sparked a renewed eagerness to learn as much as he could from Jesus.
This drive to keep learning is seen as he shares it all in his writings. And does so with a spirit of humbleness. (Rev 22) We see this as he refers to himself only as the 'other disciple' or 'the disciple Jesus loved' in his gospel. In a word study of these phrases, I had two discoveries. Disciple describes a pupil who once a lesson is heard applies it to his life and adheres to it as his rule of conduct. And, love is the love a father has for a son. Wow. He was learning for keeps, not just the tickling of the ears.
Interesting thought here. He began his time with Jesus as one of the Sons of Thunder, but ended up being entrusted with the care of Jesus's mother. Perhaps, he had changed that much. And knowing change is possible, he encourages believers in their learning and application process in his books. We also see in his writings, he is a man from whom the love of God flows. I love his books.
John is a great example to all of us that no matter how rough the start may be, there is always hope for change. I desire when my time on earth ends that people will be able to see a difference in me between the start and the finish of my life. That my life will reflect an increasing flow of God's love to others.
There are numerous verses in the gospels that mention John. Beyond those you can read about him in: Acts 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12; Galatians 2:9; Revelation 1, 10, 22.
