John ..The Man Whom Jesus Loved

This younger brother of James has the rare distinction of being known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." The original of his name means, "whom Jehovah loves" and John's experience corresponded to his name. From the many references to this honored disciple we can gather these facts:

He was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee.

His godly parents were probably cousins of Christ, and John was their youngest son.

His mother followed Christ, ministered unto Him, was at the Cross and among those who went to anoint the body of Christ with sweet spices.

His father was a fisherman owning his own vessel and prosperous enough to hire servants.

John himself was also a successful fisherman.

He was called to discipleship while plying his nets.

He was the youngest of the disciples, the Benjamin among the Twelve.

He was one of the select triumvirate, Christ's inner cabinet of three, Peter and James being the other two.

He was surnamed by Christ as a son of "Boanerges" because of his prophetic zeal and resolution to witness for Christ.

He was treated by Christ with greater familiarity than the others enjoyed.

He sat next to Christ at the Last Supper.

He was entrusted with the care of the mother of Jesus.

He died when he was almost one hundred years of age.

He wrote the gospel and three epistles bearing his name, and also the Book of Revelation. How true are Wesley's words of John the Beloved:

A Caesar's title less my envy moves

Than to be styled the man whom Jesus loves;

What charms, what beauties in his face did shine

Reflected ever from the face divine.

From manifold references in the four gospels, the Acts and Revelation, the preacher can develop these traits in John's character: his natural energy (Mark 3:17); his intolerance (Mark 9:38); his vindictiveness (Luke 9:54); his ambition (Mark 10:35-37); his eagerness to learn (John 13:23; I John 2:9); his sympathy (John 19:26); his love (1 John 4:7-21).

“What should we learn from the life of John the Apostle?”……The Apostle John is the author of five New Testament books: the gospel of John, the three short epistles that also bear his name (1, 2, and 3 John) and the book of Revelation. John was part of Jesus' "inner circle" and, along with Peter and James, John was given the privilege of witnessing Jesus' conversation with Moses and Elijah on the mount of the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9). His importance in the twelve grew as he matured, and after the crucifixion, he became a "pillar" in the Jerusalem church (Galatians 2:9), ministered with Peter (Acts 3:1, 4:13, 8:14), and finally was exiled to the island of Patmos by the Romans, where he received from God the majestic visions that comprise the book of Revelation. ……Not to be confused with John the Baptist, the Apostle John is the brother of James, another of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Together, they were called by Jesus "Boanerges," which means "sons of thunder," and therein we find a key to John's personality. Both brothers were characterized by zeal, passion and ambition. In his early days with Jesus, at times John acted rashly, recklessly, impetuously, and aggressively. We see him in Mark 9 forbidding a man to cast out demons in Jesus' name because he was not part of the twelve (Mark 9:38-41). Jesus gently rebuked him, saying no one could cast out demons in Jesus' name and then turn around and speak evil of Him. In Luke 9:51-54, we see the brothers wanting to call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans who refused to welcome Jesus. Again, Jesus had to rebuke them for their intolerance and lack of genuine love for the lost. John's zeal for Jesus was also influenced by his natural ambition, as seen in his request (through his mother) that he and his brother be seated on Jesus' right and left hands in the kingdom, an incident that caused a temporary rift between the brothers and the other disciples (Matthew 20:20-24).……In spite of these youthful expressions of misdirected passion, John aged well. He began to understand the need for humility in those who desired to be great. John's is the only gospel that records Jesus washing the disciples' feet (John 13:4-16). Jesus' simple act of servanthood must have impacted John greatly. By the time of the crucifixion, Jesus had enough confidence in the young man to turn the care of His mother over to him, a charge John took very seriously. From that day on, John cared for her as if she were his own mother (John 19:25-27). John's rash request for special honor in the kingdom had given way to a compassion and humility that would characterize his ministry in his later life. Although he remained courageous and bold, his ambition was balanced by the humility he learned at Jesus' feet. This willingness to serve others and suffer for the sake of the gospel must have enabled him to bear his final imprisonment on Patmos where, according to reliable historical sources, he lived in a cave, cut off from those he loved, and was treated with cruelty and reproach. In the opening of the book of Revelation, which he received from the Holy Spirit during this time, he referred to himself as 'your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus" (Revelation 1:9). He had learned to look beyond his earthly sufferings to the heavenly glory that awaits all who patiently endure.……John was passionately devoted to the proclamation of truth. No one in Scripture, except the Lord Jesus, had more to say about the concept of truth. His joy was proclaiming the truth to others and then watching them walk in it (3 John 4). His strongest condemnation was for those who perverted the truth and led others astray, especially if they claimed to be believers (1 John 2:4). His passion for truth fueled his concern for the sheep who might be deceived by false teachers, and his warnings about them take up much of 1 John. He had no qualms about identifying as "false prophets" and "antichrists" those who tried to pervert the truth, even proclaiming them to be demonic in nature (1 John 2:18, 26, 3:7, 4:1-7). ……At the same time, John is also called the "apostle of love." In his own gospel, he refers to himself as "the one whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20). He is depicted as the one leaning against Jesus' breast at the last supper. His brief second epistle is filled with expressions of his deep love for those in his care. He addresses his first epistle to a group of believers "whom I love in the truth" and exhorts them to "love one another" by walking in obedience to Jesus' commands (1 John 1:1, 5-6). ……John's life serves to remind us of several lessons which we can apply to our own lives. First, zeal for the truth must always be balanced by a love for people. Without it, zeal can turn to harshness and judgmentalism. Conversely, abundant love that lacks the ability to discern truth from error can become gushing sentimentality. As John learned as he matured, if we speak the truth in love, we, and those we touch, will "in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). ……Second, confidence and boldness, untempered by compassion and grace, can quickly turn to pride and smugness. Confidence is a wonderful virtue, but without humility, it can become self-confidence, which can lead to boasting and an attitude of exclusiveness. When that happens, our witness of the grace of God is tainted, and others see in us exactly the kind of person they wish not to be. Like John, if we are to be effective witnesses for Christ, our demeanor should be one that reflects a passion for the truth, compassion for people, and a steadfast desire to serve and represent our Lord by reflecting His humility and grace.……John, the son of Zebedee and Salome, the fisherman who became the beloved disciple, The Apostle of Love.

James and John

John’ name means: “Yahweh Has Been Gracious.” James’ name, a form of “Jacob,” means “He Grasps the Heel” (figuratively, “He Deceives”)

Their work: James and his younger brother John were career fishermen working in their father’s business on the Sea of Galilee. …Their character:…James was quiet and analytical;…John was verbal and open. …Both of these hardworking men were profoundly changed when they met Jesus. Not only did they follow him, but they were brought into his inner circle along with Peter, their friend and business associate. …Their sorrow: Following Jesus cost them everything. …They left their family business, their familiar surroundings, their friends, and even their families to walk with the Saviour. …Their triumph: What may have started as pure adventure-following the Teacher-ended in a revolution that changed the world. …Key Scriptures:Matthew 4:18-2216:13-17:9

A Look at the Men

Life was good for Zebedee. He owned a prosperous fishing enterprise, and he and his wife, Salome, had two sons who were partners with him in the business.

Although it must have been a blow to their fishing company when James and John left their nets to follow Jesus, there is no evidence that Zebedee and Salome resisted their sons’ decision. “After all,” they may have said to each other, “think how good this will be for the boys to be seen with the Teacher. Maybe it will even be good for business.”

For their part, James and John would never look back. They lived with the Saviour. They walked hundreds of miles with him and saw him perform awesome miracles, all the while wondering who he was. …Whenever he was asked by commoners and Pharisees, he sidestepped their questions. Why doesn’t he just go ahead and declare his messiahship? the disciples wondered.

And then, after two years of being with Jesus, Zebedee and Salome’s sons went to the mountain with their friend Peter and saw the light. These men caught a glimpse of the glory of God. And like Moses and Isaiah before them, they were completely dumbfounded. This was the Messiah. They no longer doubted.

From that moment forward, Jesus had a special relationship with James, John, and Peter. He put them in his inner circle as his closest associates. When James and John reported this to Zebedee and Salome, they must have been proud. But Salome took a step beyond good sense when she went to Jesus with an ill-advised request. “One day, when you come into power,” she said to the Savior, thinking he would one day be an earthly king, “could you give my sons the highest rank in the land? So lofty would be their positions that one would sit to the right of your throne and one would sit to the left.”

This request wasn’t just coming from a doting mother. She and her sons had discussed it, for when Jesus said, “You don’t have any idea what you’re asking,” the answer was in the plural. “Yes, we do!” they answered.

When the other disciples heard about James’s and John’s request, they were outraged-probably because they had wanted these positions of prominence for themselves!

And then, in one short moment, history’s most profound lesson in leadership was delivered. Jesus’ words must have seared the disciples’ hearts. “Heathen leaders take their power and cram it down the throats of their subjects,” he told them. “But you’re not to do this.”

James’s and John’s faces must have flushed. Jesus was talking to all twelve of the disciples, but it was these two brothers who really felt the sting of his words. Sideward glances from the others made it worse.

“Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” James and John were transfixed by Jesus’ words, but he wasn’t quite finished. “I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve,” Jesus said. Then he added, “And to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Following Jesus’ resurrection, James, John, and five other disciples were back on the sea late at night. They fished all night but caught nothing. As the morning sun peeked over the horizon, they saw a man standing on the shore. “Throw your net on the right side of the boat,” he hollered to them. When they did, they couldn’t pull the net in because it was so full of fish. “It’s Jesus,” John said, recognizing the cadence of his voice and the power of his words. “It’s Jesus!”

Once on shore, the disciples and Jesus had breakfast together. His final words after the meal, although directed at Peter, were surely for each of the seven disciples who were there. They are words for us as well. “You want to lead?” Jesus asked. “Then feed my sheep.”

Reflect On:Matthew 4:18├ö├ç├┤20…Praise God: For God's glory. …Offer Thanks: For the life-changing power of God's presence and holiness. Confess: Any unwillingness to risk it all to be Jesus' disciple-any temptation to treat Jesus like your buddy or your example rather than the glorified and perfect Son of the living God. …Ask God: To challenge you to acknowledge his presence more frequently. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, listen to his voice saying to you, "Follow me."