No 5

(John)

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved” John 13:23. John never mentions his name in his gospel; why should he, he would much rather be called “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. John was the brother of James and son of Zebedee (John 21:2). He was part of the inner group of Jesus but was by no means the dominant member of that group (Peter, James and John). John wrote his gospel, three letters and Revelation; making him the third largest contributor to the New Testament after Luke and Paul. He was passionate, aggressive and personally ambitious. He aged well with the help of the Holy Spirit and this shows us how a person who starts out impetuous and reckless can become mature and wise. This same progression can apply to any person who yields his or her will to the Holy Spirit; in theological termes, this is called sanctification. All through his writings, he demonstrates his desire for truth and is the most black and white in his thinking; there are no grey areas in his teaching. Examples of this in his gospel are where he sets – light against darkness; life against death; the kingdom of God against the kingdom of the devil; the judgment of the righteous against the judgment of the wicked; there are many others.

In his writings, there are two very significant verses for two very distinct groups of people. The first verse is in John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” This verse is for unbelievers. The second verse is in 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” This verse is for believers.

John was an apostle of absolutes; his teaching shows us that very well. The Lord had much consideration for John by giving him the honour of writing the last book of the Bible which is really a letter that was to be delivered to seven local churches in modern-day Turkey. The lord said – “….I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” Rev 1:11. John is also called the beloved Apostle.