The Apostle John: From ‘Son-of-Thunder’ to ‘Apostle-of-Love’.
 |
| Portrait of Apostle John |
To do a character study or a biography is interesting. To trace a person’s life story, the crisis they had gone through and how they had come out and how did it all end. The New Testament is such an interesting collection of the various stories of the lives of people. It is loaded with human problems, needs, sins, weaknesses, conquests and blessings.
Of the lives that are recorded in the Bible there are none so truly valuable than the lives of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The simple fact being that their association with Christ gave them exceptional opportunities of development and progress.
Apostle John is one very important disciple because of his intimate fellowship and close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
John the Apostle is thought to have been a disciple of John the Baptist before meeting Jesus. Although John is not specifically identified as a disciple of John the Baptist, his habit of not naming himself is set in the context of John 1:35-40 when he cites only Andrew. This is seen by many Bible scholars as the first incident of John’s omitting of his own name, which is continued through out his gospel and is attributed to his humility. Though nothing is specifically said about it, John, with his brother James and friends Peter and Andrew, had traveled from Bethsaida to the Jordan, a distance of some 75 miles (John 1:44). This indicated the interest all of them had in the messianic kingdom that John the Baptist's ministry represented.
John the Apostle was the Lord's half-cousin, his mother Salome being Mary's sister. He was one of two disciples with John the Baptist when he proclaimed Jesus as God's Lamb. He and Andrew became the Master's original disciples
John the Apostle was a faithful disciple of Jesus during His early Judean ministry. He and the others then returned home, and to their fishing business, where they worked as partners with John's father Zebedee until Jesus came and called them to permanent discipleship (Mark 1:19-20, Luke 5:7, 10).
John the Apostle was a subordinate disciple during Christ's ministry. Reflecting his secondary position as a disciple, John is mentioned after his brother James in each disciple listing list Andrew before John.
Knowing the brothers' dispositions, Jesus nicknamed both "Boanerges." The Sons of Thunder revealed ambitious, and intolerant natures.
John the Apostle was a classical servant of Christ. Despite his obvious human failings and sins, John enjoyed an affinity of kindred minds with Jesus that led to him being called "the beloved disciple" by others in the group (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2). He felt so comfortable with Jesus that he put his head on the Master's chest to inquire about the betrayer (John 13:25).
John the Apostle was a disciple who obviously developed spiritual grace during Christ's ministry. This is seen in two ways: first, he braved danger by entering the High Priest's residence during Christ's trial (John 18:15). His ability to enter the house, then to bring Peter in, means that John's family had access to the High Priest.
Second, when he joined Peter in the tomb, John saw the meaning of the careful arrangement of grave clothes, and wisely believed in Christ's resurrection. This spiritual insight may account for John's listing as second only to Peter when the apostles gathered in the Upper Room after Christ's ascension.
John the Apostle was a great apostolic leader in Acts. He helped preach the Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:7-8), accompanied Peter when they healed the lame man (Acts 3:1-10), was jailed with Peter (Acts 4:1-3), was with Peter when they reported to their brothers (Acts 4:23), and Peter and John were sent by the other apostles to investigate the Samaritan revival (Acts 8:14). This key verse reflects the balance in apostolic leadership. Peter and John were sent, meaning the other apostles trusted them. Peter and John were sent by the others, meaning they went as emissaries of, and with the authority of, the whole.
John the Apostle was a brilliant author of christological teaching. Paul called him a pillar of the church (Galatians 2:9). His most lasting contribution to God's work came in the five books that bear his name, including the magnificent Gospel of John and the inimitable Revelation.
He was likely the last surviving apostle (Revelation 1:9-10).
In the time that we have today, I want us to take a brief look at the life of the Apostle John.
1. His early days – His conversion and call
2. His life as a disciple of Jesus Christ
3. His contribution after Christ’s resurrection.
I. HIS EARLY DAYS: It is always interesting to see something of the way in which a person finds Christ. While there are many ways, there is but one goal, and the story of John’s conversion is not without practical value to us today. Some have never encountered Christ in their life. Today there are many people who are Christians because their parents had been going to Church and practically have no encounter with Jesus Christ!
a. As a disciple of John the Baptist, he heard his master’s testimony of Jesus Christ as the ‘Lamb of God’. We do not know how much he must have understood, but every Jew was able to connect to the Passover lamb of the Old Testament. And also the prophetic word concerning the Messiah (Isaiah 53:7).
If so, it would speak of sin and of sacrifice provided by God to remove the sin.
This is the very heart of the Christian Gospel and the theme of the preacher should always, in one way or another, be that of the ‘Lamb of God’. We can see the importance of this if we can just look up other passages in the Bible in which these two truths of sin and sacrifice are emphasized. [ Acts 8:32 “Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.] or [ 1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.]
b. This testimony of the Baptist influenced John so much so that he left his old master to follow Jesus. It’s significant that such a proclamation should have this effect. Someone rightly said, “happy the preacher and happy the hearer who find their theme and their attraction in the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ.”. [John 12:32. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”]
c. He inquired about Jesus as the result of the act of following. When Jesus saw them following to ask what they were seeking, they asked ‘ Teacher, where do you live? This spirit of inquiry marked their interest in Jesus Christ. And when our thoughts are turned on to Him, especially the Lamb of God, its natural and inevitable that we want to know more about Him, His work and presence.
d. This leads to Jesus inviting them and they accepting the invitation to stay with Jesus that day. By this encounter , John became convinced that Jesus was indeed the lamb of God!
e. Like Andrew, it’s believed that John found his brother James. It was a beautiful, yet a very simple testimony. “ We have found the Messiah!” This was all but it was sufficient. There was no argument, too much of discussion, elaborate reasoning , but a simple witness based on personal experience. “We have found” and with equal simplicity we read that he brought him to Jesus.
f. From all this we are able to see the true characteristics of every true conversion. Whatever may be the precise method, there are certain essential facts which are true in every conversion.
· Conversion is a personal relation to Jesus Christ. “ Conversion is the personal transaction between the soul and God”. The testimony of John the Baptist led John the son of Zebedee seeking Jesus Christ and coming in association with Him. Thus his conversion was due to contact with Christ, the touch of soul with soul.
· This personal relation needed a definite step. That of inquiry, trust and obedience. Just as John when invited accepted, the soul must be willing to venture in response to the invitation of Christ and when this step is taken the result is always sure.
· The immediate outcome was a new attitude expressed in new activities. The personal experience of John with Christ led him to introduce Jesus to his brother to share in the joy and new found interest. This is a sure mark of a definite conversion, the desire to let others know, the longing that others may share in that has become so precious to us. [ Bible has many examples: The Samaritan woman, the demon possessed man ]
· Do we have that desire when it comes to telling about the encounter we had with Jesus Christ?
Called to be a disciple: He was a fisherman (in the family business with his brother, James, and his father Zebedee). John likely lived in Capernaum—next to the Sea of Galilee. One day Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The first disciples Jesus called were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew (who were also fishermen). It’s significant to note their call. Jews were to be well versed in Torah by the age of 12. Those who are brilliant go and learn under a Rabbi. These fishermen were not that smart and so decided to be involved in their family trade. It’s in this context that their call becomes very significant. When Jesus says, follow me.
We further read in Matthew 4:21-22 . This is impressive about John. Jesus calls—and he goes for it!”.
How have we responded to His call in our lives? Especially those in ministry, some feel they are forced into serving Jesus Christ. Jesus calls everyone to follow Him. We put off or we follow Him when we have time or we follow Him at a distance. John’s response to the call was immediate.
The significant point in following Jesus is the assurance He gives in making us. I will make you, many fear following Jesus because we look at ourselves and feel we are not fit. Look to Jesus, because even in this case, we don’t know the real character of John! But by the very fact of his following we see he was a transformed person. Some are not willing to pay the cost. Cost of discipleship?
II. John as a disciple of Jesus Christ: At this point, we don’t know much about John’s personality. He’s obviously a risk-taker since he’s willing to leave the family business (and his family) to follow Jesus.
But there’s a passage in the Gospel of Mark that gives us a bit of a hint that John has some weak points to his and his brother’s personality while they were disciples of Jesus Christ.
· Mark 3:13-17 … James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; [NKJV]
“Sons of Thunder”… scholars today still don’t understand precisely why Jesus gave James and John this knick-name. I did learn that “Sons of Thunder” could accurately be translated “Sons of Rage.” Can you imagine that John, the Apostle of love, might have had a temper? That he might have needed to attend an anger-management class? Consider Luke 9:51ff
· Luke 9:51-56
***Paint a picture: James and John are very upset! In the verses just previous to this, the Bible says that Jesus appointed the 12 to go and preach the gospel and that He gave them power to heal the sick and cast out demons. I guess the ‘power’ went to their heads! That happens, you know? People gain power and authority and it often times “messes with their heads.” Jesus simply rebuked them—some Greek manuscripts tell us the exact rebuke—“You do not know what manner of Spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”
And then in Luke 9, we get another glimpse of John that is quite unflattering:
· Luke 9:46-50 … John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.” [NLT]
Dear friends, that’s what you call “a party spirit.” I mean, here is a person using the name of Jesus to cast out demons in order to free people who had been possessed and oppressed by demons. You would think that John and the others would be thrilled that there were others, probably believers, who were setting people free! But not John! This Son of Thunder probably personally went up to this fellow casting out the demons and said something like this:
“Stop that! Who do you think you are! You’re not a part of our group…!”
[Well that is John—“the Son of Thunder”—in typical form!]
Let’s look at another episode that is most unflattering to both John and James—and even their Mother.
· Matthew 20:20-21. Maybe Mom had ambitions for her sons….maybe James and John are just manipulators. They are going to ask the same thing in a moment. But first, they call in Mom to perhaps soften Jesus up. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10 we read last week:
· Mark 10:35- If you remember, last we reflected on the very purpose of Jesus coming to this world. To serve and give. True love is The God-Given Capacity to put Others first
John and his brother had failed in the test. I mean look again at what they say to Jesus:
“Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
***That’s the mind-set of so many of God’s people today—“Jesus, we want you to do for us whatever we ask!”
“Jesus, not THY will be done, but MY will be done!”
One preacher puts it this way, “We come to Jesus with our job-description for Him. We write for Him the script for our lives…and He’s supposed to work for us and read and follow our script—“Jesus, we want You to do for us whatever we ask!”
But Jesus wants James and John, indeed all the Apostles to know that the kingdom of God is not about power and preeminence! It’s about “love”—putting others first. Living to serve others rather than looking for others to serve you.
John has his weaknesses, but if we look at his later life after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it’s remarkable.
III. John’s life after the resurrection of Jesus Christ: John was one disciple who speaks about love more than any of the other biblical writers, and is often called—“The Apostle of Love.” But it wasn’t always that way. John “grew” in his love-walk . It is God’s will that WE grow in our love-walk). It is said, that “ John was so close to Jesus that he absorbed His love”
It’s not long after the birth of the church that John’s brother (James) was the first apostle to be martyred. Herod Agrippa had James killed with a sword.
But what about John? I wish we knew more about John. We know he wrote the Gospel of John, 1,2,3 John and the book of Revelation. I wish I could know the process by which this “Son of Thunder” was transformed and became known as “The Apostle of Love.” In all his writings, John is not interested in talking about himself—but only in talking about Jesus!
But I do believe we can get some clues as to how this “Son of Thunder” became “The Apostle of Love” just by exploring a few of the verses that he wrote (especially in 1 John):
1 John 4:19-21 We love each other because HE loved us first. John 4:7-12. - 1 John 4:16-17
How did this ‘Son of Thunder’ become ‘The Apostle of Love?’
The answer, I believe, is found at the foot of the Cross:
It was at the cross where, John, being the only apostle present, learned what real love is. As he stood with Jesus’ mother…seeing the bloody and ravaged body of Jesus hanging on that cross…seeing the blood flowing down his face from the crown of thorns…beholding the savagely lacerated body of Jesus…and then hearing Jesus say to those who crucified him, casts insults at him and jeered him—
“Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
And after long agonizing hours of hanging on that old rugged cross, These were among Jesus’ final words:
· John 19:25-27 [In effect, Jesus was saying this:]
“Mother, John is now your son…he will take care of you.
John, Mary is now your mother, I entrust her now to your care. Take good care of her.”
I think THAT was the real moment, that John’s heart was gripped by love. I believe THAT moment explains how and when “John, Son of Thunder” became—“John, The Apostle of Love.” Looking at the beaten body, the bloody face of his Crucified Lord…John now knew what love was . . . and what love is all about—
Agape/Love is ...
“The God-Given Capacity to put Others first—AND—to Love even the Most Unlovable.”
When we were born-again, through the Holy Spirit, God “moved in” to our lives and hearts. And When God “moved in”…He didn’t leave His agape-love behind. He brought His agape-love with Him! Which means… We have the God-Given Capacity to actually manifest the supernatural Agape-Love of God!
Think of the unlovable today. Last week news showed of the brutality of the US Cops in handling an elderly man who had gone to visit his son. They had no heart to treat Mr.Sureshbhai Patel as a normal human being. A black & skinny man. Absolutely no love.
What about us today? In our community? Homes, colleges, are we who claim to be Christians willing to love the unlovable? Because if we are not able to, our life is a contradiction!! If we only love and care for our close friends and those who are good, we are not displaying the love of God in our lives.
Dear friends John is the only apostle who captured the words of Jesus Christ about God’s love, most familiar verse we all know about John 3:16.
How many of us know 1,John 3:16? We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us…” [NLT]
What is ‘real’ love all about?
Sacrifice, putting others (and the needs of others) above yourself … Dying to Self . . . so that Others might have life that is truly life.
Story of John: After his release from the prison Island of Patmos, John, now an old man about 95 yrs old, returned to Ephesus—preaching the word of God. Tradition tells us that when John was barely able to stand up, he would travel to different churches and preach…Interestingly, John preached a mere 5–word-sermon: “Little Children, Love on another.”
According to tradition, in one church, after saying those 5 words, one man’s response to the aged Apostle was this:
“Is that it? Why, you are the Apostle John. Don’t you have anything heavier to say than that?”
[With a twinkle in his yet bright eyes, the aged Apostle replied with these words]…
“My child, it doesn’t get any heavier than that . . .
“Little children…Love one another.”
Dear friends, I have neither the right nor the rank to address you as “little children.” But if the one-time “Son of Thunder” who became “John: the Apostle of Love”… appeared before us today, I think he would preach the same message that he preached to so many, in generations long before us. And it’s “The Apostle of Love’s” message that I will close with today . . .
“Little Children . . . Love One Another.”
Let’s pray.
Early life: Conversion & Call
As a disciple was faithful but with weaknesses. Anger
At the end he was known as the apostle of love.
No comments:
Post a Comment