Articles
John, The Apostle
Described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Privileged to see the Lord transfigured. Entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother, Mary, after His crucifixion. Author of five New Testament books (the Gospel of John; I, II and III John; and Revelation). Exiled on an island because of his service to Jesus. The last apostle to die. Truly, John lived a full, interesting and challenging life.
But John is also an example of transformation. Dubbed early on as a “son of thunder” for his fiery temperament, in his later epistles John demonstrates great love for his fellow man. He repeatedly addressed his readers as “little children” or “beloved” (I John 2:1, 18, 28; 3:2; etc.). He gave gentle exhortation: “We also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (I John 3:16). He also spoke with candor: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar” (I John 4:20).
John took Jesus’ teaching to heart, and this stormy “son of thunder” gradually became an “apostle of wonder.”
