“That which was from the beginning, which I have heard, and which I have seen with my eyes, and my hands have handled, the Word of Life. This life was manifested … I have seen and bear witness, and tell you that eternal life which was with the Father was manifested to Me. I tell you so you can have fellowship with Me and with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:1-3, ELT
A. JOHN’S BACKGROUND
1. What are the characteristics of youth?
a. Enthusiastic, acting without considering the results.
b. Exploring, doing things never done before.
c. Self-centered, without a commitment to relationships.
Apparently, John was born in Bethsaida, a poor community, but moved to Capernaum (Mark 1:29-30). John’s father, Zebedee, had a fishing business (Mark 1:19-20), and employed his two sons. Archaeologists found a pew in the Capernaum Synagogue with the name Zebedee, if this is the same person, he was a leader in the community. John became the youngest follower of Christ. Zebedee probably died after John left to follow Jesus, but before the crucifixion. John took Mary the mother of Jesus to his home (John 19:27). Later, John became pastor of Ephesus, and was exiled to Patmos (Revelation 1:9).
B. JOHN’S YOUTHFUL CHARACTERISTICS
1. Wanted influence and power.
a. John’s mother asked Jesus for her sons to sit on His left and right side in glory (Matthew 20:20 ff). The boys were willing and wanted a place of prominence.
b. Young John outraced older Peter to the tomb but was fearful to enter (John 20:4-6).
2. Acted and spoke without thinking.
a. He was nicknamed “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17).
b. He saw people casting out demons and forbade them (Luke 9:49-50).
c. When Jesus was not received by the Samaritans, John said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Luke 9:54).
3. Transformed into the disciple of love.
a. John was a disciple of love (John 13:23, 34-35).
b. John called himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:7, 20).
c. In later life he was known as the apostle of love (1 John 4:7).
C. JOHN’S TRANSFORMATION
1. Become humble. John never mentions himself by name in his gospel. John was first mentioned as the disciple with Andrew (1:36). “And you (John) also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning” (John 15:27). “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple (John). Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest” (John 18:15). “And he (John) who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe” (John 19:35).
2. To love Christ is to receive His love. John is identified as the disciple who is loved by Christ (John 13:23, 25; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20).
3. Jesus saw John’s potential. It was not because he deserved it, but because of his potential (Matthew 17:1). Mount of Transfiguration, Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33).
4. Learned responsibly.
a. John and Peter were sent to prepare for Last Supper (Luke 22:7-13).
b. The Lord gave young John the responsibly to care for His mother (John 19:25-27).
D. TEN PRINCIPLES LEARNED FROM JOHN
1. You become like Jesus by identifying with Jesus. How is pastoral leadership transferred to young pastors? A young disciple becomes like his teacher by modeling and identification. John leaned on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper (John 13:23-25).
2. John learned to give. (Immature or youthful love is described as love-receiving). The best definition of love was written by John.
a. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
b. “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 John 3:16).
c. “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” (1 John 4:10).
Immaturity seeks a feeling from love or expects something from love. But biblical maturity follows the “love-giving” principle.
3. Forgiveness makes us love. John made several mistakes as a youth. The forgiveness he received was therapy and gave direction to his life. As an elderly man he was “the apostle of love.” “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).
4. The greatness of forgiveness leads to deeper love.
5. The Responsibility-Growth Principle. Not all experiences are growth-producing. The secret of spiritual growth is based on understanding our relationship to truth. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). “Follow Me” (John 21:19).
6. Love makes you “others” conscious. Jesus began His ministry with individuals, not with programs or by spending time with the multitudes. To be influential, a disciple-maker invest his life in individuals. To reach the world, Christ influenced individuals who were “others-motivated.”
7. The Self-Control Principle. A person is weak when his emotions control him. He is strong when he controls his emotions. John sought selfish exaltation but had to learn the strength of love by giving to others.
8. The Hearer-Seer Principle. To be a learner you must be a seer. John applied this principle and learned. He became the “seer” and learned Christ (1 John 1:1; Revelation 1:9-18).
9. The Love-Expectation Principle. God motivates His people by telling them what He expects of them. Christ expected much from John. “Take care of My mother.” The expectations by Jesus – beyond John’s past attainment – motivated the young man to excellence.
10. Faithful love produces Christ followers. Because Jesus loved John, he followed Jesus everywhere, all the time.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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