Son of Thunder
Jesus gave John and his brother James a special nickname—"the sons of thunder" (or Boanerges in Aramaic). Evidence suggests that this name referred to their disposition—a disposition that Jesus gently corrects.
Read Mark 10:35-45. What request do James and John make? How does Jesus respond to their request? What does this tell us about the character of both these men?
John and his brother also showed an unhealthy pride. In response to their request, Jesus asked if they could share His fate. "We can," they boasted (Mark 10:39).
On another occasion Jesus and His disciples were traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem. As appears to have been His normal habit, Jesus went directly through Samaria rather than circumnavigating in order to avoid the hated Samaritans. He sent James and John ahead to find lodgings for the night. They approached one village, but when the people learned they were headed for Jerusalem, they showed no hospitality.
What does their response to this indignity also reveal about their character? How much does the beloved John have to learn? Luke 9:54.
What a contrast we can see in the John depicted here in these accounts and the one who writes the letters he does later. What a changed man; what a changed personality! No doubt, though, the change did not happen easily or overnight. John had some hard lessons to learn that enabled him to become the great missionary that he eventually became. Recount some of your most recent hard lessons. What did you learn? What other ways could you have learned what you did other than through suffering? What other lesson need you to learn? What changes do you need to make in your life now that, perhaps, could spare you from having to learn them the hard way?
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