Name: John
Meaning: The Lord has been gracious.
His Character: It is believed that John was sensitive. He has been described as being spirited and impetuous.
His Sorrow: To see Jesus crucified on the Cross.
His Triumph: John knew that he was loved by Christ.
Key Scriptures: John; 1, 2, and 3 John; Revelation
The Apostle John was one of the sons of Zebedee and Salome. John grew up in Bethsaida. He and James, his brother and fellow disciple, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee with their father. When Christ called them, he made them fishermen of men. Scholars believe that John was a disciple of John the Baptist before following Jesus. He was one of the original 12 disciples, and he was one of the three closest to Christ along with Peter and James. John was with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and he was one of the disciples to see the Transfiguration of Jesus.
John and James were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder by Christ. They could be thunder-like in their reactions. There was the occasion when John and James wanted to call down fire to consume a village that had turned away Jesus. Jesus wanted to show mercy. There was also the time when John and James (and their mom) asked for seats of honor when Jesus came into glory. Jesus’ lesson was that to become great, you must be a servant.
In the book of John, John refers to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” Because of this love, on the Cross, Jesus entrusted his mom to John. The theme of love played heavily in the book of John. John 3:16 is one of the most known and memorized verses in the Bible. John experienced the love of Christ firsthand. John communicated that Christ, who was love, loved all. And that love is unconditional and free despite our sins and imperfections.
John is credited as the author of Revelation. John was an eye witness of Christ’s work on earth, and he had a vision of Christ glorified. It was written on the Greek Isle of Patmos while John was in exile. The book of Revelation is both a book of hope and a book of warning. It is a book that proclaims that a victorious Christ will return to defend the righteous and judge the wicked. God will triumph over evil. He gives us the hope of a new heaven and a new earth where we will live with God forever. It also warns the churches and urges them (us) to eliminate any sins that block our relationship with God. One day, God’s anger toward sin will be unleashed.
During the course of his life, John was imprisoned, beaten, and questioned over his ministry. John was the only one of the original 12 disciples who was not killed for his faith. It is believed that he died in Ephesus at an old age.
Through John’s life, we can see how Christ takes our personalities and uses them in the kingdom effectively. We also see the power of love. John was confident in the love Christ had for him. When we are loved with the unconditional love of Christ, we are able to in turn love those around us in the same manner.
Pictures: Holy Grotto of the Revelation where it is believed John wrote Revelation.
By Sister LaTonja Brown
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