Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

John was born in Galilee probably between A.D. 10 and 15. He is the son of Zebedee and Salome. His father was a fisherman, a trade which John was plying when he met and joined Jesus (Mark 5:37). His mother joined the women who served the followers of Jesus (Mark 15:40-41; 16:1). His brother James also followed Jesus. Jesus nicknamed both brothers Boanerges, meaning in Aramaic “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), a reference to their rather fiery attitude to Jesus. It was their mother who asked Jesus if they could have the best seats in heaven (Matthew 20:10).

John and James, together with Peter, are presented throughout the Gospels as the most closely associated with Jesus of all his followers. John, with Peter and James, witnesses Jesus’ supernatural communication with Moses and Elijah on Mt. Tabor; he is present in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus dies. When all others leave the dying Jesus, John remains, and Jesus entrusts his mother, Mary, to John’s care. After the death of Jesus, John is presented as one of the leaders in Jerusalem as the followers of Jesus. In the Acts, John testifies to Jesus with Peter and James. He goes to Samaria with Peter to confirm new converts (Acts 8:14, 25). When Paul is converted, he submits his orthodoxy to John, Peter, and James (Galatians 2:1-10).

It is not known how John ended his life. Some traditions claim that he was martyred. Others claim he died at a ripe old age. Tradition from the 2d century claimed that John died and was buried at Ephesus. Today there is a house in Ephesus, Turkey which is preserved as the last place Mary and John lived before he was exiled to the isle of Patmos for preaching the gospel. John started following Jesus as a young boy and lived to see the glory of God, miracles signs and wonders after which he writes to his hearers this: love is from God because God is love. Therefore if you have not love you have not God. Right on John, we will hear some more from you tomorrow.

Read Mark 3