“JOHN: WHEN A FIGHTER BECOMES A LOVER”

Mark 3:13-19                Matthew 20:20-21                            John 19:25-27

There is a six letter word that is a major topic of conversation in almost everyone’s life. The word is “CHANGE”. No one likes to change. It is usually avoided at all cost. In fact, the hardest thing to accomplish in life is to change behavior. Most people either have their mind set against change or they have attempted to change only to fall right back into typical behavior patterns. Having tried to change at one time or another, many folk no longer even try to change. They don’t want to experience additional failure. The dilemma of change is even more difficult when change is brought about in some ones’ life and they have no voice in the change that is made. This can occur on the job, in government, at church, in the family, at the doctor’s office, etc.

This Pastor wants to set the record straight. Way too many people believe that Christianity is solely deciding for Jesus Christ. Under this assumption, once a decision has been made to accept Jesus as personal Savior the substance of Christian faith has been taken care of. I need you to know that this thinking is completely unbiblical and false. Far too often the “plan of salvation” is one of presenting people only with the realization that without Jesus (as Savior) a person is doomed to an eternity in Hell. For anybody to believe that salvation simply consists of a “fire insurance plan” from Hell is mistaken. With a conversion to Christian faith, one is committed to experiencing change for the rest of this life! Change is the core of the Christian life. Like it or not, believers are to welcome change and be committed to change. They are to actively become familiar with the Bible in order to facilitate change.

This introduction, as we come to the third disciple, is given to clear up the goal we have before us in this sermon series. We are not learning about these disciples so we can know more facts. We will learn facts. But, the aim is for us to see how each of them was changed by the Lord. I believe that in each of these 13 disciples at least one particular characteristic had to undergo a change. If you have similar traits in your own life, you can hopefully see that God calls you to change as well. For Matthew, “the nonconformist tax-collector”, the change was to become a team player. For Simon, “the terrorist”, the change was to become non-judgmental and accepting of people who see things differently.

I. JOHN WAS A FIGHTER WHEN HE MET JESUS!

(Mark 3:13-19)

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary tells us, concerning our highlighted phrase, “the sons of Zebedee, were nicknamed ‘Sons of Thunder’ because this probably is descriptive of their disposition; it had something of the thunderstorm in it.” [1] Most Bible scholars are of the same persuasion. It appears that Jesus, who could see into the inner being of people, recognized the personality of the two Galilean fishermen, James and John. Whether or not they were like their dad, they were highly volatile and ready to take issue with anyone “at the drop of a hat”. You will notice that just as Jesus gave many of His disciples second names, the Lord nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”. They could most likely also be described as men “with a short fuse”. In Luke 9:52-56, we read “[Jesus] sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for Him; but the people there did not welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.”

We have already mentioned that in regard to our first two disciples, Matthew and Simon, the Zealot, there would have been tension. Throw into the mix two volatile fighters, and we’re off and running. No wonder, on several occasions (in the gospel narratives) we read of the disciples arguing about who was more important. It’s probable that James and John would have been the instigators, or stoked the flame of controversy. As with all individual traits, there is a positive side and a negative side to personality quirks. Standing up for what’s right, in and of itself, is not wrong. But when it becomes a passion which governs an individual’s usual behavior, it can lead to undesirable results. What should have been guidance, direction or even correction becomes disrespect, hurtful words, and even abuse.

We know, as a matter of historical record, that John was the younger of the two brothers and most likely the youngest of the entire band of twelve. Probably, James was more set in his pattern of life. His younger brother would have fit into the family dynamic to be sure. We are focused on this younger brother, John, today. As an aside, do you remember what happened when the news that the body of Jesus was missing from the tomb was told? Peter and John immediately took off to investigate the situation. John was younger and faster, and got to the tomb first. That is fitting for what we learn about this “Son of Thunder”. If you are a person who needs to stand up to people and fight, you share a trait with this follower of Jesus. But are you willing to let that characteristic go?

II. JOHN WAS COMPETITIVE WHEN HE MET JESUS!

(Matthew 20:20-21)

In Mark 10:35-38, we are told that James and John brought up an issue with their Lord. It was a request that they have preferential treatment from Jesus. Matthew, in his account, gives us additional information. It ties into our previous thought that such aggressive, confrontational behavior was a characteristic of the family. Matthew tells us that in reality John’s mom took matters into her own hands. He tells us it was her desire for her boys to have special recognition from the Lord. By the way, you and I don’t know any mom who would want preferential treatment for her children, do we?

Whether it was the wife of Zebedee who hatched the plan to have her sons receive such acknowledgement from Jesus, or the boys themselves, we continue to find these two young men “looking out for number one”. Perhaps it was kind of “heady” or “a sense of accomplishment” to be a follower of Jesus, especially when He was drawing a huge crowd. John and his brother were caught up, in not only being a part of this leadership group; they wanted to be above the rest of their peers.

Remember the beginning of this message? The life of one following Christ is all about change. Matthew was called to change and he did. Simon was called to change, and he did. And, just as John was called, we too are called to change. Are you committed to answering that call? Let’s see where it took John.

III. JOHN BECAME A MAN OF LOVE AFTER MEETING JESUS!

(John 19:25-27)

We actually get to read of a special event that happened in the life of John, written by his own hand. Most likely this incident was only known to him and his Lord. The other gospels fail to mention this event. It is profound. It ties in with significant change in this young man’s life. After following the Lord for three years John grows into a vibrant love for his Rabbi, his leader. This “Son of Thunder” literally reclined his head on the shoulder of Jesus in the upper room. He learned to see his Lord and Master through eyes of love. This same man ends up writing a gospel and three more letters at the end of the New Testament. In each one of these written scriptures, John’s focus is on love. In John 14:15 he records Jesus teaching, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” In 1 John 3:23 he writes, “This is His command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” In 2 John 1:5 he writes, “And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.” In 3 John 1:1 we read, “The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.” You’ve heard the saying, “I’m a lover, not a fighter!”? Well our fighter has become one who changed into loving people foremost. It is highlighted with this special incident at the foot of the cross: As Jesus hangs in crucifixion you see the emphasized phrase on the screen in front of you. Jesus sees His mother Mary and, we’re told, “The disciple whom He loved”. Our Lord addresses His mother and says, “Dear woman, here is your son”. He says to John, "here is your mother” Then the passage ends with this statement, “From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” The fighter has changed. He has now become a messenger of love. No more “flying off the handle”. No more being argumentative. No more having a “chip on his shoulder”. No more “copping an attitude”. No more pride and super competitiveness.

Are you like John? Is this an area in your life that needs to undergo change? If you belong to God, He wants to take you where you are and make you into something better. He wants you changed! The Holy Spirit will not rest, if He’s in your life, until He “Brings it to completion”. Do not set your heart against change. Do not just “do your own thing”. Embrace the call that God has set before you and “Seek FIRST, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)