Illustration of His Methods
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his brethren, yet brooding in his soul purposes of whose ripening he
little dreamed—these were the objects of Christ’s greatest solicitude
and the recipients of His most frequent and careful instruction.
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Peter, James, and John sought every opportunity of coming into
close contact with their Master, and their desire was granted. Of
all the Twelve their relationship to Him was closest. John could be
satisfied only with a still near intimacy, and this he obtained. At
that first conference beside the Jordan, when Andrew, having heard
Jesus, hurried away to call his brother, John sat silent, rapt in the
contemplation of wondrous themes. He followed the Saviour, ever an
eager, absorbed listener. Yet John’s was no faultless character. He was
no gentle, dreamy enthusiast. He and his brother were called “the sons
of thunder.”
Mark 3:17
. John was proud, ambitious, combative; but
beneath all this the divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere, loving
heart. Jesus rebuked his self-seeking, disappointed his ambitions,
tested his faith. But He revealed to him that for which his soul longed—
the beauty of holiness, His own transforming love. “Unto the men
which Thou gavest Me out of the world,” He said to the Father, “I have
manifested Thy name.”
John 17:6
.
John’s was a nature that longed for love, for sympathy and com-
panionship. He pressed close to Jesus, sat by His side, leaned upon
His breast. As a flower drinks the sun and dew, so did he drink in the
divine light and life. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour, until
likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and
in his character was reflected the character of his Master.
“Behold,” he said, “what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world
knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the
sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
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that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him
as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself,
even as He is pure.”
1 John 3:1-3
.
From Weakness to Strength
The history of no one of the disciples better illustrates Christ’s
method of training than does the history of Peter. Bold, aggressive,
and self-confident, quick to perceive and forward to act, prompt in re-