Chapter 7—The Character of John
The apostle John was distinguished above his brethren as “the
disciple whom Jesus loved.” While not in the slightest degree cowardly,
weak, or vacillating in character, he possessed an amiable disposition
and a warm, loving heart. He seems to have enjoyed, in a pre-eminent
sense, the friendship of Christ, and he received many tokens of the
Saviour’s confidence and love. He was one of the three permitted to
witness Christ’s glory upon the mount of transfiguration and His agony
in Gethsemane; and to the care of John our Lord confided His mother
in those last hours of anguish upon the cross.
The Saviour’s affection for the beloved disciple was returned with
all the strength of ardent devotion. John clung to Christ as the vine
clings to the stately pillar. For his Master’s sake he braved the dangers
of the judgment hall and lingered about the cross; and at the tidings that
Christ had risen, he hastened to the sepulcher, in his zeal outstripping
even the impetuous Peter.
John’s love for his Master was not a mere human friendship, but it
was the love of a repentant sinner, who felt that he had been redeemed
by the precious blood of Christ. He esteemed it the highest honor
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to work and suffer in the service of his Lord. His love for Jesus led
him to love all for whom Christ died. His religion was of a practical
character. He reasoned that love to God would be manifested in love
to His children. He was heard again and again to say, “Beloved, if
God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (
1 John 4:11
).
“We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and
hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom
he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (
verses
19, 20
). The apostle’s life was in harmony with his teachings. The
love which glowed in his heart for Christ, led him to forth the most
earnest, untiring labor for his fellow men, especially for his brethren in
the Christian church. He was a powerful preacher, fervent, and deeply
in earnest, and his words carried with them a weight of conviction.
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