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58
True Education
satisfied only with a still closer 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 Savior, ever an
eager, absorbed listener.
Yet John’s character was not faultless. He and his brother were
called “Sons of thunder.”
Mark 3:17
. John was proud, ambitious,
and combative, but beneath all this the divine Teacher discerned a
sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked his self-seeking, disappointed
his ambitions, and tested his faith, but He revealed to him that for
which his soul longed—the beauty of holiness, His own transforming
love. To His Father He said, “I have made Your name known to
those whom You gave Me from the world.”
John 17:6
, NRSV.
John’s was a nature that longed for love, sympathy, and com-
panionship. As a flower drinks in the sun and dew, so he drank in
the divine light and life. In adoration and love he beheld the Savior,
until his character reflected the character of his Master. “Behold,”
he said, “what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that
we should be called children of God.”
1 John 3:1
.
From Weakness to Strength
The history of none of the disciples better illustrates Christ’s
method of training than does the history of Peter. Bold, aggressive,
and self-confident, Peter often erred and often received reproof, yet
his warmhearted loyalty and devotion to Christ were recognized
and commended. Patiently and lovingly the Savior dealt with His
impetuous disciple, seeking to check his self-confidence, and to
teach him humility, obedience, and trust. But only in part was the
lesson learned. Self-assurance was not uprooted.
Often Jesus attempted to open to the disciples the scenes of His
trial and suffering, but the knowledge was unwelcome, and they
did not see. Self-pity, which shrank from fellowship with Christ in
suffering, prompted Peter’s protest, “Far be it from You, Lord; this
shall not happen to You!”
Matthew 16:22
. His words expressed the
thought and feeling of the Twelve.
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