PART THREE--JOHN

LESSON 19

WITH THE REDEEMER

"Modesty is a shining light; it prepares the mind to receive knowledge, and the heart for truth."

"Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues."

[Sidenote: Modesty.]

In the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, we read that two disciples of John the Baptist heard their master bear witness to the divinity of Jesus. Said the Baptist, referring to Jesus walking alone in the distance, "Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." One of the two disciples who heard this testimony is named; he was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. [1] The other is not named. Indeed throughout the entire book, which undoubtedly, was written by St. John, himself, the name of John, son of Zebedee, is never once written. In the account of the Last Supper, we read of a "disciple whom Jesus loved," who sat so near the Lord that his head could rest on Jesus' bosom.

These two instances, and others that might be named indicate to us a prominent trait in St. John's character; viz., an unassumed modesty that won him the respect and love of all who knew him.

[Sidenote: Fearlessness.]

But John was the son of Salome and Zebedee, and the younger brother of James, with whim he was called "Boanerges," or son of Thunder. This gives us a little insight into another phase of his character. Like his brother James, he was evidently fiery in his zeal in whatever he undertook to do, and fearless in doing what he thought was right.

[IMAGE: ST. JOHN AND THE LAMB.]

[Sidenote: Love.]

A modesty that made him shrink ever from praising himself or unduly pushing himself forward; a _fearlessness_ in defending what is right, and a _love_ for his Master that gave him the highest place in the Savior's heart--these are three traits of John's character which stand out distinctly in the fragmentary accounts of his life.

He lived, and was probably born in Bethsaida, the home of Peter and Andrew and Philip. He was a fisherman by trade, and worked with his father and brother James. His father, Zebedee, owned his own ships, and employed servants; so we conclude that he was well to do financially. [2]

[Sidenote: A Seeker After Truth.]

He was a seeker after true learning, and especially after those things which would tell him about God and the hereafter. He kept his mind and heart pure, so that he could appreciate the truth when he heard it.

When, therefore, John the Baptist came out of the wilderness preaching repentance and declaring that the "Kingdom of Heaven was at hand," John was one of the fearless young men who believed the Baptist and followed him. Thus he was prepared to accept John's testimony of Jesus after the latter was baptized in Jordan, and was one of the two who had the first interview with the Savior of the world at the beginning of His ministry.

[Sidenote: Follows Jesus.]

On the same occasion when Simon Peter and his brother were called as disciples of Jesus, "James the son of Zebedee and John were with their father mending their nets," and when Jesus called them, they immediately left the ship and their father and followed Him. [3]

[Sidenote: A First Lesson.]

Luke tells us [4] that John was present at the miraculous draught of fishes, and was very much astonished at what he heard and saw on that occasion. It was one of the first lessons if not the first impressive lesson that taught him the great truth that obedience to Christ's words bring blessings.

[Sidenote: Youngest of the Twelve.]

From this time on to the end of his eventful life, he was always in the ministry. When Jesus chose his disciples, John was chosen one of the special three, although he was the youngest member of the Twelve.

[Sidenote: Memorable Experiences.]

From that time, John was in the close companionship of Jesus, and witnessed some of the most remarkable and divine incidents recorded in the history of Christ's ministry. He was one of the three apostles permitted to remain in the room when the little daughter of Jairus was restored to life. [5] He was on the mount of Transfiguration when the Savior conversed with Moses and Elias and when a voice from heaven said "This is my beloved Son, hear him." [6]

With Peter, James and Andrew, John was present on the Mount of Olives when Jesus taught them concerning the destrucion of the temple, and of Christ's second coming. How the memory of such occasions must have filled his soul in after years, with rejoicing and sweet content!

To him and Peter was entrusted the duty of making preparations for the Passover. [7]

[Sidenote: Close to Jesus.]

At the solemn moment when the Savior said "One of you shall betray me," it was John the "disciple whom Jesus loved" who received the answer indicating who the traitor was.

[Sidenote: In Gethsemane.]

When the gloom of Gethsemane began to weigh heavily upon the spirit of Jesus, John was one of the three unto whom He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death; tarry ye here and watch." [8]

[Sidenote: In the House of the High Priest.]

Later that same night, when the traitor gave the kiss of betrayal, and the soldiers arrested Jesus, and bore Him away a prisoner, all the other disciples fled, but John accompanied his Master to the house of the high priest and later admitted Peter, who, you remember, had "followed afar off."

[Sidenote: A Terrible Ordeal.]

Though we are not told, yet we can imagine what this beloved disciple's feelings were as he listened to the false and wicked accusations against his Lord, and how his heart must have ached as he saw Jesus beaten and scourged, and a crown of thorns put on His head. If he had wanted to call down fire from heaven and consume the Samaritans who refused shelter and accommodations to his Lord, what must have been the state of his fiery soul when he beheld the Jews and their judges persecuting the Christ to death!

[Sidenote: A Last Request.]

How his soul must have been rent in agony as he saw his Savior nailed to the cross, and yet what peace must have come to him as he received from the dying lips of his Master one of the dearest commissions ever given to mortal man! As the three Marys and John stood by the cross, Jesus looked down upon them and said to his mother, "Woman, behold thy Son!" and to John, "Behold thy mother!"

"And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."

On the Sunday morning following the crucifixion, John was with Peter when Mary Magdalene came running to them, saying:

[Sidenote: At the Tomb.]

"They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him."

As soon as the apostles heard this, they ran for the spot where Jesus had been buried. John being the younger outran Peter and was the first to see the empty tomb; and "looking in, saw the linen clothes lying, yet went he not in." A moment later, however, he followed Peter into the tomb, made a careful examination of the linen clothes and napkin that was about the head; but not yet realizing that Christ was to rise the third day, each returned to his own home.

[Sidenote: His Testimony.]

John was with the ten and later with the Eleven when Christ appeared to them in the upper room. Of this and other glorious experiences he bears testimony in his Gospel. "That ye might believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His name."

Footnotes:

1. John 1:40.

2. Mark 1:20.

3. Matt. 4:21, 22; Luke 5:1-11.

4. Luke 5:1-11.

5. Luke 8:51.

6. Luke 9:28.

7. Luke 22:8

8. Mark 14:33.

LESSON 20

WITH PETER AND THE TWELVE

"Love one human being purely and warmly and you will love all."

"Love gives itself, it is not bought."

[Sidenote: At the Sea of Galilee.]

John was one of those who, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, when Simon Peter said, "I go a fishing" replied: "We also go with you." They toiled all night, and caught nothing, but when morning came they were told by a man on the shore to "Cast the net on the right side of the ship." This they did and caught a multitude of fishes. Almost immediately John recognized Jesus and said to Peter, "It is the Lord."

[Sidenote: Feed My Sheep.]

A little later, on the shore, he heard the Savior's admonition to Peter to feed the sheep and the lambs in the fold of Christ, and no doubt John shared in the feeling of responsibility that was then thrown upon the Twelve.

It was on this occasion that Peter asked Jesus what would become of John, to which question Jesus made the significant reply, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."

[Sidenote: A Prophecy.]

"Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?"

In this connection we read in the Doctrine and Covenants [1] that John had said to the Lord, "Give me power over death that I may live and bring souls unto Thee."

And the Lord answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desired this, thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindred, tongues and people."

The Lord then told Peter that He would make John "as a flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth."

[Sidenote: True Greatness.]

Thus was expressed John's love not only for his Lord and Master but for all the children of men whom he desired to bring to Christ and to participate in the joys of the everlasting gospel. By this spirit, John proved himself to have been one of the greatest men that ever lived; for true greatness consists in losing oneself for the good of others.

[Sidenote: True to Trust.]

For about fifteen years after the Savior's ascension it is believed that John continued at Jerusalem and remained a true son to the Virgin Mary. During all that time, however, he was always active in the ministry.

[Sidenote: The Impotent Man.]

He was with Peter going to the temple when the lame men at the gate Beautiful asked them for alms. With Peter he exercised His faith on that occasion to bless the poor man who had never walked. [2]

[Sidenote: The Impotent Man.]

John, undoubtedly, testified to the multitude who assembled at Solomon's porch on the day of this miracle; but no historian has told us what he said. We infer from what Luke says that John spoke at that time; but only Peter's sermon and only a little of that has been preserved.

While they were speaking the captain of the temple arrested them and put them in prison.

[Sidenote: Before the Council.]

When they were brought out before the Council next day and told not to preach about Jesus any more, John was just as bold as Peter in declaring, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than God, judge ye, for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." [3]

[Sidenote: Spiritual Minded.]

After they were released, they continued preaching to the people and praising the Lord for all His wonderful manifestations to them. The great spiritual feast that resulted from their labors must have filled John's soul with a divine peace such as he had never before experienced, for of all the apostles, he was the most spiritual minded.

[Sidenote: A True Servant.]

During this period, he was imprisoned several times, but never once did he waver in his determination to let all the people know that Jesus Christ was the Redeemer of the World. He could suffer and be happy because he loved those whom he served. Thus in the beginning of his ministry his character shone out in true greatness; for he was "willing, patient and strong to endure for others."

[Sidenote: In Samaria.]

When the Samaritans received the Gospel through the preaching of Philip, John accompanied Peter to Samaria, and conferred the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, upon those whom Philip had baptized. [4]

[Sidenote: Various Officers.]

No doubt this was just one of many such visits he made during those fifteen years that he remained at Jerusalem. The Twelve, the seventies, elders, priests, teachers and deacons were out preaching in all the cities round about Jerusalem, and the three chief Apostles, Peter, James and John would be required, and when not required would be invited, to organize the branches and to meet with the new converts and give encouragement in their glorious faith.

[Sidenote: Pillar of the Church.]

When the great question arose about what the Gentiles who joined the church should be required to do, John was one who sat in the council held at Jerusalem. Paul, writing about this council, mentions James, Cephas and John who "seemed to be pillars." In the light of the organization of the Church today, we know that Peter, James, and John were the men who presided at that time, although it was James who rendered the decision that was made effective throughout all the provinces.

[Sidenote: Heart Filled With Love.]

After that time, we know very little of John's ministry. Part of what is known will be given in the next lesson. We learn more about what kind of man he was than about what he did. When we read his letters to the church and his Gospel, we can readily understand why Jesus chose him to take care of His mother Mary. John's heart was full of love, and he wanted everybody to love everybody else. He said that anybody who "saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light.

"But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake." In that same letter he says, "And now, little children, abide in Christ, that when He shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him and His coming."

Footnotes:

1. Section 7.

2. Relate the incident. Acts 3:1-12.

3. Acts 4:19-20.

4. Acts 8:5-14.

LESSON 21

CLOSING SCENES OF MINISTRY

"Love was to his impassioned soul, not a mere part of its existence, but the whole, the very life-breath of his heart."

[Sidenote: Eighteen Years Pass.]

The important council mentioned in the last chapter was held about 50 years after the birth of Christ (50 A. D.) During the next eighteen years John seems to have been hidden from view. Nothing is known about what he did or where he went. It is presumed that he left Jerusalem, and seldom, if ever, returned. If so, then we may rightly conclude that Mary the mother of Jesus had left Jerusalem also, and left it and all her loving kindred and friends on earth for a happy, glorious meeting with her Son in their heavenly home on high. The dutiful and loving attention John had bestowed upon Mary, he is now free to give to the Church which now bears her Son's name.

Undoubtedly he visited nearly all, if not all the important places where Christians dwelt; but most of his latest years seem to have been spent in Asia Minor.

[Sidenote: At Ephesus.]

Tradition informs us that he made his home at Ephesus, a large and populous city of Iona about 40 miles from Smyrna. It was noted chiefly for its wickedness and the beautiful temple of Diana. Some claim that the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene went to Ephesus with John and died there. The tradition is a pleasing one; for with the devotion of a son to his mother, as shown by John, there is associated Mary Magdalene's love, which might well be expressed in the words of another beautiful woman, who said to her husband's mother, "Intreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried." [1]

From Ephesus John visited all the branches of the Church, laboring especially among "The Seven Churches in Asia."

When John had spent several years at Ephesus a cruel Roman emperor, during his persecution of the Church, arrested him, had him carried to Rome, condemned him to death, and had him plunged into boiling oil. John's life being preserved through the power of God, he was then banished to Patmos. All that John says about it is that he was "in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." It is quite evident from this that he had been persecuted for his belief in the Gospel and for his unwavering testimony of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was probably the last living witness of the Savior's miracles and teachings. Perhaps that is why he was banished. But wicked men could not banish the testimony he had borne. That was planted in the hearts of thousands of sincere believers, and like seeds sown in fertile soil, would grow and bear rich harvests for ages to come.

Nor did banishment injure the aged apostle, for he was not alone even on that uninhabited and barren rock. One Sunday morning, on the "Lord's Day" as he called it, he "heard behind him a great voice, as of a trumpet" that said to him, "What thou seest write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia." He turned, and saw the Son of Man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and bound with a golden girdle. As he beheld his Lord wrapped in such divine splendor, "he fell at His feet as dead." But the Savior, John says, "laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me. Fear not, I am the First and the Last, I am He that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive forever more." He was again commanded to write all he had witnessed and what would yet be shown him in vision. Thus was given to the seven churches of Asia, and subsequently to the world, what is now known as "Revelation," the last book in the Bible, but the first one written by its author.

Upon the death of Domitian, the cruel emperor who had banished him, the Apostle was permitted to return to Ephesus, where he continued his preaching, writing, and testimony.

[Sidenote: John's Writings.]

Besides "Revelation," he wrote his Gospel and his three Epistles.

John's second Epistle should be of special interest to the young. From it we infer that there were two Christian homes, in each of which John took delight. The mothers were sisters. His letter is addressed to "The Elect Lady" or, as she is sometimes called, the Lady Electa and her children. John tells of his love and that of others for them--mother and children--because of their Christian character. He tells of his great joy because of the children walking in the truth, living as children should live who have learned of the teachings of Christ.

[IMAGE: ST. JOHN. The Apostle and Evangelist.]

It is said that when he became so old and feeble that he could not walk to church, nor preach to his people, his loving friends would carry him to the place of meeting. On these occasions, he would repeat again and again, "My dear children, love one another." One day some asked him, "Master, why dost thou always say this?" He answered. "This is what the Lord commands you; and this, if you do it, is sufficient."

It is said that he lived to be over one hundred years of age, but of his last days there is nothing definite of record. We do know, however, that he survived most bitter persecution, outlived his wicked persecutors, instructed by his life and teachings thousands in the Way of life, and is blessing many thousands in the world today, by his lofty and childlike Christian spirit.

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."

Footnotes:

1. Ruth 1:16, 17.