John – The Loved One
John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, shows us what it means to live a life rooted in love, truth, humility, and endurance. From his early call to follow Christ to his visions of glory on Patmos, John’s life reveals that true greatness is found in serving, loving, and remaining faithful to Jesus.
The Call to Love
Luke 10:27 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
John 1:35–39 – When John first followed Jesus, it began with a simple invitation: “Come and see.” His life became a testimony to that love—learning to love both God and others deeply.
Love and Truth
3 John 4 – I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Love and truth always go hand in hand. John’s writings emphasize that real faith is both heartfelt and genuine.
Mark 9:1 – Then He said to them, “I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power.”
Mark 9:4 – Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Mark 9:7 – A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!”
Mark 9:9 – As they were coming down from the mountain, He ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
John witnessed the glory of Christ firsthand on the Mount of Transfiguration—proof that love and truth are grounded in the revelation of who Jesus truly is.
Mark 9:33–34 – The disciples argued about who was greatest, but Jesus turned their focus to humility.
Mark 9:35–37 – “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Then He took a child and said, “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in My name welcomes Me.”
Love is humble service, not self-promotion.
1 Corinthians 13:4–5 – Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs.
John’s life mirrored this kind of love—patient, kind, and focused on others.
Mark 9:38 – John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”
2 John 5 – So now I urge you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
John grew from being possessive of Jesus’ work to understanding the universality of love—“that we love one another.”
Ambition and Humility
Mark 10:42–45 – Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them… But it must not be like that among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
John learned that true greatness is not found in authority, but in humility and service—following the example of Jesus, who gave His life for others.
Suffering and Glory
Romans 8:17 – And if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
1 Peter 1:6–7 – You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:9 – I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony about Jesus.
John’s life ended not in fame or ease, but in faithful endurance. Yet through his suffering, he saw the risen Christ in glory and shared that vision with the world.
Final Reflection
John’s life is a portrait of love perfected through truth, humility, and perseverance. From walking with Jesus to witnessing His glory and writing the Revelation, John teaches us that those who love God deeply and serve others humbly share in both His suffering and His eternal joy.