The Bible Speaks to our Condition: John “The Apostle Whom He Loved” Scripture Reading: Mt 20:20-28

Who Was the Apostle John? We first read about John when Jesus calls him to be His follower Mt 4:21-22 “ 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” Think about what this means: He left his business He left his family He left everything familiar to follow Christ His nickname given by Christ “Sons of Thunder” (Mk 3:17) He wanted to reign fire from Heaven (Lk 9:51-56) Desired to sit at the right hand of Christ (Mk 10:35-45)

Who Was the Apostle John? In his Gospel he never mentions his own name but refers to himself as, “The disciple whom Jesus loved” Jn 13:23 “ 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” Jn 19:26 “ 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Jn 20:2 “ 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Jn 21:7 “ 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. Jn 21:20 “ 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

Author of The Gospel of John: A portrait of Christ Chapter 1 – Jesus portrayed as God (the Word was God) Chapter 2 – Jesus portrayed as the Miracle worker (turned water into wine) Chapter 3 – Jesus portrayed as the Savior (John 3:16) Chapter 4 – Jesus portrayed as the Soul Winner (Woman at the Well) Chapter 5 – Jesus portrayed as the Healer (man at the pool of Bethesda) Chapter 6 – Jesus is the bread of life (he fed the thousands with the little boys lunch) Chapter 7 – Jesus is the satisfying (if any man thirst, let him come to me)

Author of The Gospel of John: A portrait of Christ Chapter 8 – Jesus is portrayed as the forgiver of sins (woman caught in adultery) Chapter 9 – Jesus is portrayed as the blind eye opener (I was blind, but now I see) Chapter 10 – Jesus is portrayed as the door and the good shepherd! Chapter 11 – Jesus is the resurrection and the life! Chapter 12 – Jesus is portrayed as the lifted up one! Chapter 13 – Jesus is portrayed as the servant as He washes the disciples feet Chapter 14 – Jesus is the one going to prepare a mansion for us, the way, the truth and the life

Author of The Gospel of John: A portrait of Christ Chapter 15 – Jesus is the vine and we are the branches! Chapter 16 – Jesus is the one who gives the Comforter, and who answers prayer, for he said ask and you shall receive, and He’s the one who gives peace in a world of tribulation Chapter 17 – Jesus is portrayed as the High Priest Chapter 18 – Jesus is portrayed as the Lamb of God (the model sufferer as he’s betrayed) Chapter 19 – Jesus is portrayed as the sacrifice for sin as He’s crucified Chapter 20 – Jesus is portrayed as the resurrected Lord Chapter 21 – Jesus is portrayed as a restorer

John Worked Closely with Peter Peter, James, and John were with Jesus when he raised the synagogue ruler’s daughter (Mark 5:36-37) Mk 5:36-37 “ 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.” Peter, James, and John are on the mountain of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2) Mt 17:1-2 “17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Peter and John prepared the final Passover meal (Luke 22:8) Lk 22:8 “ 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” Peter and John were with Jesus in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-35) Mk 14:32-33 “ 32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.” It was to Peter and John that Mary reported Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-8)

John’s Work with the Early Church He is with Peter at the temple and healing of the lame man (Act 3:1) Acts 3:1 “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.” He speaks boldly with Peter to the Sanhedrin council (Act 4:13, 19-20) Acts 4:13, “ 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus… 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” He travelled with Peter to Samaria (Acts 8:14) Acts 8:14 “ 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,” He is described with Peter and James as pillars (Gal 2:9) Gal 2:9 “ 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,…”

Clues of John’s transformation From “Son of thunder” to “Apostle He loved” His witness of Christ’s death on the cross Lk 23:32-34 “ 32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.” Examples from 1 Jn 1 Jn 3:16 “ 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 Jn 4:7-12 “ 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”

Clues of John’s transformation from “Son of thunder” to “Apostle He loved” Examples from 1 Jn 1 Jn 4:16-17 “ 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 Jn 4:19-21 “ 19 We love Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”

Conclusion It is good to be reminded at times that the people involved in the Scriptures where real people. People develop. Events shape their lives. They are much like you and I. They shared their lives with us - I John 1:1-4 Today is an opportunity to make John’s joy complete concerning your own life.