Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

21:20-25)a. it is safe to say that John is not still wandering around Palestine today, but that Jesus wassimply rebuking Peter for trying to cast attention off himself and onto anyone elseb. the lengths that the writer goes not to identify this disciple seem to suggest that they areone in the same, and that is why the gospel account has always been attributed to the apostle JohnII. Some ApplicationsA. Zeal1. the zeal of John is undeniable and is part of what made him a great man, but his early lack ofself-control is what kept him from being even greater2. zeal might seem to be the one thing that a person should exercise with reckless abandon, butfrom John’s example, we learn that restraint and direction are vital, especially in religious zeal, or onefinds himself tempted to call down fire on unbelievers and to intimidate allies of a different company3. it is interesting that the response that Jesus chooses for rejection is far different from callingdown fire (Mark 6:7-13)a. John learned this lesson and he learned how to channel his zeal without permanentlyalienating people who might have been saved with enough time and opportunities, and withoutintimidating those who were preaching the same gospel, but outside of the company of the original 12b. when he extended the right hand of fellowship to Paul, he was sealing his maturity as aminister more interested in populating heaven than feathering his own capc. the Pharisees and Judaizing teachers zealously courted converts to add to their accounts;“They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous forthem” (Galatians 4:17).4. zeal should never be for oneself, but should be according to knowledge (see Romans 10:2) andfor good things, especially in regard to othersa. “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of thechurch that you seek to excel” (First Corinthians 14:2).b. zeal should boil up whether we are being watched by elders and preachers and teachers andparents or are completely left to ourselves, for “it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and notonly when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:18).c. the great thing about zeal is that it is contagious (Second Corinthians 9:1-2)B. High Places1. John, along with his brother James and even his mother, sought higher authority in thekingdom, which caused friction among the apostles, who understandably resented their opportunism2. sometimes the apostles did things that were completely contrary to the mindset that Jesus wastrying to create, but they can be forgiven a little since they were the first generation3. what would be our excuse?a. think about this parable against self-exultation the next time you are tempted to assert yourgreatness or trample upon another (Luke 14:7-14)b. Paul wrote, “Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not bewise in your own opinion” (Romans 12:16).4. if you are really worthy of higher authority, you will be invited without resorting to aggressionC. Intimacy With the Lord1. John is a study in intimacy with the Lord, the kind that one can enjoy in an earthly friendship,but also the kind that we seek in a spiritual relationship with Christ2. John found proximity to the Lord a natural thing as an apostle, but he remains accessible to hisdisciples who pray through him, who meditate upon his example and doctrine, and who yearn to join himin eternity (Hebrews 4:14-16)3. the Lord’s Supper is an occasion of communion with Jesus, in which we can grow closer tohim by pondering his friendship (Romans 5:1-11; cf. First Corinthians 10:16)4. the Hebrew writer says that Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brethren, sons and daughters ofthe Almighty God (see Hebrews 2:11)ConclusionTime has failed us, but John is also remarkable as a man who suffered greatly at the hands of persecutors,210