METAMORPHOSIS / Draw Near Bible App

 METAMORPHOSIS

Youngest of all the disciples, John probably changed more than any of the others. On our side of the cross, we see him as a tender and loving person who admonishes believers to always love one another. However, before Calvary, he was a loud and unruly youth. Nicknamed "Son of Thunder," John wanted to call fire down from heaven on those who opposed Jesus. He also sought to forbid strangers from using Christ's name to cast out demons, and he wanted the first place for himself. Thus John changed from a selfish youth to a mature believer because of the impact of the living Christ.

John wrote a "spiritual" Gospel. Matthew, Mark, and Luke deal with events in the Lord's life in narrative form, but John talks to the believers about the eternal position of Christ. Emphasizing our personal relationship with God, John uses the word "Father" 140 times and the name "Jesus" 242 times (99 times more often than does Matthew and 158 times more than Luke). The object of John's writing is the Person of Jesus. This Gospel is more doctrinal than the other three and forms the spiritual foundation for the growing church. He gives more of Christ's discourse on the Holy Spirit than any other writer. Also, he uses much symbolism to illustrate truth. The keyword of John's books is "witness."

The change that comes into the lives of believers is a major theme of John's Gospel. He tells how Christ looked deeply into Peter's eyes and, in essence, said it did not so much matter what he was at the moment but what he could become through Christ. This is the hope of every believer. As we live in close contact with the Master, we continue to grow into His image. We, like John, can move from selfishness to Christ-likeness.

“Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter” ).”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:42‬ ‭NLT‬‬