A Life Transformed by the Love of the Lord
Praise be to God! Brethren, let this truth echo in your soul – when a man truly walks with Jesus, love conquers fear, truth conquers error, and faith endures every storm.
John the Apostle stands as living proof that one encounter with the Lord can change everything. Once a fisherman, then a thunderous zealot, finally a beloved disciple – his life shows the power of staying close to the Master.
The story of John is not just history; it’s an invitation. God still calls ordinary people to extraordinary intimacy with Him. He still transforms fiery tempers into hearts that burn with holy love. He still reveals His glory to those willing to leave their nets behind. So ask yourself today – are you following close enough to hear His heartbeat?
1. Called by Jesus
When Jesus passed by the Sea of Galilee, John was busy mending nets with his father Zebedee. Yet when the Savior spoke, he dropped everything (Matthew 4:21–22; Mark 1:19–20). Praise the Lord – that’s what true calling looks like! No hesitation, no bargaining, no delay. John didn’t just hear a preacher’s invitation; he heard the voice of God.
Sometimes the Lord interrupts our routines just like that. The question is, will we cling to the nets – or follow the call?
2. One of the “Sons of Thunder”
Jesus nicknamed James and John “Boanerges” – sons of thunder (Mark 3:17). Why? Because their zeal once burned hotter than wisdom. When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, they wanted to call down fire from heaven (Luke 9:54–56). But Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.”
Friends, God can take even your fiery temperament and turn it into holy passion. He tames thunder into tenderness.
3. Among Jesus’ Inner Circle
Not everyone saw what John saw. He was among the three – Peter, James, and John – who witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration, and the sorrow of Gethsemane (Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37; Mark 14:33).
He saw both Christ’s glory and agony, both the mountain’s light and the garden’s tears. Following Jesus means walking through both.
4. Witness of the Transfiguration
On that mountain, Jesus’ face shone like the sun, and His garments were white as light (Matthew 17:1–9; Mark 9:2–9; Luke 9:28–36). John saw heaven open, heard the Father’s voice, and knew this was no ordinary man – this was the Son of God.
Praise God – those who follow Jesus closely will behold His glory.
5. The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
John leaned on Jesus’ chest at supper (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). That’s not just closeness – that’s friendship divine. John shows us that intimacy with the Lord is not earned by rank but by relationship.
When others fought for thrones, John sought His heartbeat.
6. Present at the Crucifixion
When nearly everyone fled, John stood at the cross (John 19:25–27). Jesus looked down and said, “Behold thy mother.” John took Mary into his own home. Praise the Lord – the faithful stay when the crowd disperses.
The cross always reveals who really loves Him.
7. First to Believe at the Empty Tomb
John ran to the tomb with Peter (John 20:2–8). He outran him, saw the grave clothes folded, and believed. No angel had spoken yet – faith arose simply from what he saw.
Sometimes the Lord gives no signs or thunder, only folded linen – enough to prove He’s alive.
8. Witness of the Risen Lord
John saw Jesus appear in locked rooms (John 20:19–29) and later by the sea (John 21:1–14). When others didn’t recognize Him, John cried out, “It is the Lord!” Recognition comes to hearts that love Him most.
Do you still recognize Jesus when He walks into your everyday life?
9. At Pentecost
In the upper room, John was there when the Holy Ghost came (Acts 1:13–14; 2:1–4). The man once called “son of thunder” was now filled with heavenly fire – not destructive, but redemptive.
The Spirit that once rebuked his rage now filled his mouth with truth.
10. Healed the Lame Man at the Temple
With Peter, John met a man begging at the gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:1–10). “Silver and gold have I none,” they said, “but such as I have give I thee.” In the name of Jesus Christ, the man rose up and walked.
What a lesson – when you walk with God, what you carry is greater than what you lack.
11. Bold Witness Before the Sanhedrin
The rulers were astonished at their boldness (Acts 4:13–21). They knew John and Peter were “unlearned and ignorant men,” yet they had been with Jesus.
Friends, education can’t produce that kind of courage – only the presence of the Lord can.
12. Laying Hands for the Holy Ghost
John helped bring revival to Samaria (Acts 8:14–17). He laid hands on believers, and they received the Holy Ghost. Praise be to God – the same Spirit that filled Jerusalem was now crossing boundaries.
Wherever God sends His Word, His power follows.
13. Defender of Truth Against Heresy
John warned believers to “try the spirits” (1 John 4:1–3; 2 John 1:7–10; 3 John 1:9–11). He fought false teaching with the weapon of truth.
In a world full of deception, we need the same discernment – love with backbone, grace with grit.
14. Author of the Gospel of John
John’s Gospel shines with divine insight: “These are written, that ye might believe…” (John 20:31). His words unveil Jesus as the Word made flesh, the Light of the world, the Lamb of God.
He didn’t write for scholars. He wrote for believers – that we might have life through His name.
15. Author of Three Epistles
John wrote like a shepherd – tender but truthful (1 John 1:1–4; 2 John 1:5–6; 3 John 1:2–4). He called believers “little children” and spoke of walking in light, love, and truth.
What a reminder: doctrine without love is empty, and love without truth is weak.
16. Exiled on the Isle of Patmos
Banished for his testimony (Revelation 1:9), John could have felt forgotten. But praise the Lord – God visits even the lonely places. The isle became a sanctuary.
Sometimes your wilderness becomes your revelation.
17. Received the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Caught up in the Spirit (Revelation 1:1–3; 4:1–2), John saw heaven open. He beheld Christ glorified, the throne, the angels, and eternity unfolding.
When the world silences you, God will speak louder.
18. Fell at Jesus’ Feet as Dead
John saw the risen Christ in power and glory (Revelation 1:17–18). The same Lord he once leaned upon now appeared in blinding majesty. John fell as one dead. Yet Jesus touched him and said, “Fear not.”
What love – the same hand that washed his feet now lifted him from the dust.
19. Saw the Future Judgment and Glory
John saw the end of all things – the Great White Throne, the fall of Satan, the New Jerusalem (Revelation 20–22). He witnessed God’s final victory and cried, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
From cross to crown, John’s eyes saw it all.
20. A Life Transformed by Love
Love became his final message (1 John 4:7–12; John 15:9–12). The man who once thundered became the apostle of love. He learned that to abide in Christ is to love as He loves.
And that’s our call too – not just to preach Christ, but to reflect Him.
Summary: John’s Legacy
- Occupation: Fisherman turned Apostle (Matthew 4:21–22)
- Family: Brother of James, son of Zebedee and Salome (Mark 15:40)
- Character: Passionate, loyal, bold, loving
- Major Works: Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation
- Death: Tradition says he died in Ephesus – faithful to the end
Brethren, John’s life is a mirror. When we walk close to Jesus, our story too becomes one of transformation – from fear to faith, from thunder to tenderness, from human passion to divine love. Praise the Lord, for He still calls, still changes, and still fills hearts today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
