“MOLDED BY THE MASTER-JOHN: FINDING THE BALANCE …



“MOLDED BY THE MASTER-JOHN: FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH”

JOHN 20:1-10

INTRO: Last week as we begin this series we saw how the Master molds us

from a life of inconsistency to consistency by looking at the life of

Peter. Today, we will look at John. Most of us like to read and hear

about the exciting and dramatic conversions of others. But the

apostle John’s conversion is not one that is overly exciting. We see

how the Master transformed him gradually from being a “Son of

Thunder” to the “Apostle of Love.” John MacArthur in his book,

Twelve Ordinary Men writes: “But love was a quality he learned from

Christ, not something that came natural to him” (1).

We know little about John’s conversion. It is believed that he came to

know Jesus at a young age. Matthew 4:21-22 tells us, “And going

from thence, he saw other two brethren, James, the son of Zebedee,

and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their

nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their

father, and followed him.” Their father, Zebedee was a name known

by early believers. At least eight times in the Gospels James and

John are called “sons of Zebedee.” None of the other disciples are

identified with persons like that. Zebedee must have been a believer

to allow his sons to leave his fishing business and follow Jesus

fulltime. Matthew Henry writes: “They had followed Christ before, as

common disciples, Joh_1:37; now they must leave their calling. Those

who would follow Christ aright, must, at his command, leave all

things to follow him, must be ready to part with them. (Matthew

Henry’s Concise Commentary).

Even by his early decision in life to follow Jesus did not mean John

did not possess several character flaws. “He was rugged and hard-

edged, just like the rest of the fishermen-disciples…every bit as

intolerant, ambition, zealous, and explosive” (2). Look at his

character before the Master molded him into what He wanted him to

be:

• He had a violent disposition (Mark 3:17). In Mark 3:13-19 we see Jesus choosing the twelve and in v17 we read, “And James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.” Jesus nick-named James and John “Boanerges….The sons of thunder..” which literally means “the hot tempered pair.”

• He was selfish in spirit (Mark 10:37). James and John requested Jesus there, “Grant unto us that we might sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” It seems that a fiery spirit and a competitive nature go hand in hand. Assign to us the two places of highest honor in the coming kingdom. The semblance of a plea for so presumptuous a request might possibly have been drawn from the fact that one of the two usually leaned on the breast of Jesus, or sat next Him at meals, while the other was one of the favored three. (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary).

• He was prejudiced (Luke 9:54). When a village of Samaritans did not receive Jesus, it tells us, “When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?” “John, at times behaved like an extremist, a bigot, and a hard, reckless man who was selfishly committed to his own narrow perception of truth” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 100).

• He was intolerant (Mark 9:39). “John’s zeal for the truth was lacking in love and compassion for people” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 101). We read in Mark 9:38-39—“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.” Warren Wiersbe says, “John thought he would impress Jesus with his zeal, but Jesus lovingly rebuked him for his lack of love and discernment. Did the twelve think they were the only ones who were serving Jesus? And had the nine who were left behind forgotten their failure to cast the demon out of the boy? How often we criticize others for success we cannot attain ourselves!…It is dangerous to get the idea that our fellowship is the only one that is right and the only one God is blessing and using” (3).

All of us have innate weaknesses and vulnerable areas. Whatever

your character flaw is, the Lord wants to transform your personality

so you will be more like HIM just as he did with John. Look at how

the Master molded John into what He wanted him to be finding that

balance between love and truth:

1) John became a man who lived in the Spirit (Revelation 1:9-10).

2) John became a man who was unselfish. “Throughout John’s

Gospel…he never once mentions his own name…refuses to speak

of himself in reference to himself. Instead, he speaks of himself in reference to Jesus..uses every reference to himself to honor Christ. Rather than write his own name, he refers to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20), giving glory to Jesus to having loved such a man” (Twelve Ordinary Men.

John MacArthur. pp. 111-112).

(3) John became a man who was unprejudiced (Acts 8:14-15).

Instead of praying down fire to destroy the Samaritans he prays

down Holy Spirit power to bless them.

(4) John became a man who was more tolerant. He wrote in 1 John

1:7—“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have

fellowship on with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”

How did such a radical change occur in the life of John? The answer

to that question will help us learn how we too can Find The Balance

Between Love And Truth. Note two things that we must do so the

Master can mold us and achieve this balance in our lives:

(1) WE MUST PROMPTLY RECEIVE THE TRUTH

JOHN 20:8—“Then went in also that other disciple, which came

first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.”

*Note two things in this verse:

A. FAITH BEHOLDS THE EVIDENCE. V8 tells us, “Then went in also

that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and

believed.” Note the words, “He saw”, John beheld the empty tomb, saw

the grave clothes lying there. Notice his description of what he beheld

in vvs. 5-7—“…the linen clothes lying…and the napkin that was about

his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place

by itself.” John’s description of the clothes includes some unexpected

details. The wrapping garment is the same as mention in John 19:40.

Likewise the facial cloth (a type of handkerchief) was a detail mentioned

in the Lazarus story (John 11:44). Such small clothes were apparently

wrapped under the chin and tied on the top of the head (to keep the

mouth from falling open). Hence when John says that the napkin is

“rolled up”, it is likely in an oval loop, as it was during burial. These

items are “lying there”—implying that they are resting in the location

where Jesus was laid. The scene, then, is not chaotic or confused.

Rather, something purposeful has transpired here. If someone had

simply stolen Jesus’ body, surely the clothes would be missing, or at

least strewn about the floor. But here is a scene in which the body is

missing but the clothes appear undisturbed. Jesus’ body simply left

them behind (4). That is what John beheld, but let us also note…

B. FAITH BELIEVES THE EVIDENCE. In v8 it tells us John “saw and

believed." John not only BEHELD THE EVIDENCE but he also

BELIEVED THE EVIDENCE. It was after Mary Magdalene heard Jesus’

voice calling her name that she believed. It was in the upper room

when Jesus appeared to the disciples that Peter believed. After being

invited to touch Jesus only then did Thomas believe. But John

believed when he saw the evidence.

ILLUS: Robertson in his Word Pictures wrote: Peter saw more after he

entered than John did in his first glance, but John saw into

the meaning of it all better than Peter. Peter had more sight,

John more insight. John was the first to believe that Jesus was

risen from the tomb even before he saw him. According to

Luk_24:12. Peter went away “wondering” still. (Robertson’s

Word Pictures).

Many struggle with doubt and are skeptical by nature. Others find it

easier to believe and hardly, if ever, question their faith. Someone has

said, “Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.” -- Sparks

from the Anvil. Christian Reader, Vol. 33, no. 2. If you believe that God

created this vast creation and your complex human body then there is

no miracle that is too hard for God. If God created matter from nothing

and life from the dust of the ground what is so hard about believing in

the Resurrection, Redemption by the blood, or Rewards for faithful

service. John found it easy to believe. If you think that is too simple

may you are letting pride stand in your way. John saw the grave

clothes and believed. The Beloved Disciple has penetrated the deeper

meaning of this empty tomb despite the fact that he does not yet grasp

the larger biblical and theological context in which these things are

taking place. V9 tells us, “For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that

he must rise again from the dead,” which means that eventually all will

become clear in their thinking…the Beloved Disciple believes that

Jesus is now alive—but as yet does not know the scriptural and

theological under-girding that have made the resurrection inevitable

(5).

We, like John, without the benefit of a visual meeting with the risen

Jesus, may nonetheless be assured that Jesus was truly raised, on the

basis of the available historical evidence. He saw the tomb and the

grave clothes and believed; and so may we! (6).

To FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH we must PROMPTLY RECEIVE THE TRUTH and also…

(2) WE MUST FAITHFULLY PRACTICE THE TRUTH

REVELATION 2:10—“Fear none of those things which thou shalt

suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of your into prison,

that ye might be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:

be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of

life.”

*As John penned these words of the risen Savior to the Church in Smyrna,

I am sure that his mind was flooded with memories of his life and service

unto the Lord. He may have recalled how he was when Jesus called him

and what he became after the Master molded him into what he wanted

him to be! Notice the words “be thou faithful unto death” that means “Keep

on becoming faithful”. “Keep on proving faithful unto death” (Heb_12:4) as

the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all). (Robertson’s Word Pictures).

Notice how the Master molded John to that BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE

AND TRUTH:

A. JOHN CAME TO UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBITIES OF

FAITHFULNESS. “John is the only one of the apostles whom the

Biblical record places as a eyewitness to the crucifixion” (Twelve

Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 115). John is the only one of the

apostles with courage enough to take his stand with the women by the

Cross. (Robertson’s Word Pictures). It takes courage to remain faithful

when your world appears to be crashing down all around you! But

even in the midst of trouble we must remain faithful to Christ! “Be

thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” the Lord

promised. Many prove unfaithful because they don’t believe they are

receiving the recognition due them or that their responsibilities don’t

match their abilities. Some one has given this sound advice:

Here is a good thought for those who only want the BIG, High Profile

jobs...Between the things that are too small for you to bother with, and

the things that are beyond your ability to accomplish, you actually DO

very little for the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said those who are faithful

in the "little things" will be made ruler of much! - Unknown

ILLUS: During the Reagan Presidency on a Sunday Morning, a

terrorist bombed the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

Hundred of marines were killed or wounded as they slept. A

few days after the tragedy Marine Corps Commandant Paul

Kelly visited some of the wounded survivors in a Frankfurt,

Germany hospital. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee

Nashton who was severely wounded. He has so many tubes

connected to him he looked more like a machine than a man.

As Kelly approached, Nashton motioned for a piece of paper

and a pen. He wrote a brief note and passed it to the

Commandant. The note consisted to only two words, “Semper

Fi” which is the Latin motto of the Marines “forever faithful.”

with those two words Nashton spoke for the millions of

Americans who have sacrificed body, limb and life for their

country, those who have remained faithful.

John had learned by the Master’s molding the RESPONSIBILITIES OF

FAITHFULNESS. Whatever the task the Lord has given you, “be thou

Faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” But also note…

B. JOHN REAPED THE REWARDS OF FAITHFULNESS. Opportunities

come to those who are faithful! In John 19:25-27 we see two very

important honors that John gained because of his faithfulness:

1. His Faithfulness Brought The Approval of The Savior. At the

Cross, the Lord said to John, “Behold thy Mother!” (v27). Christ

tenderly provided for his mother at his death. He counted John

faithful to watch over His dear mother. Several witnesses in early

church history record that John never left Jerusalem and never left

the care of may until she died (7). When we are faithful it will bring

the approval of Jesus. It is with Him we should be concerned, not

others.

ILLUS: A brilliant young concert pianist was performing for the

first time in public. The audience sat enthralled as

beautiful music flowed from his disciplined fingers. The

people could hardly take their eyes off this young

virtuoso. As the final note faded, the audience burst into

applause. Everyone was standing -- except one old man

up front. The pianist walked off the stage crestfallen.

The stage manager praised the performance, but the

young man said, "I was no good, it was a failure." The

manager replied, "Look out there, everyone is on his feet

except one old man!" "Yes," said the youth dejectedly,

"but that one old man is my teacher." Do we have the

same desire for God's approval as that pianist had for his

teacher's praise? Our Lord's approving smile is what

really matters.

2. His Faithfulness Brought Him Opportunity for Service.

From the day on the Cross that Jesus said unto John, “Behold,

Thy Mother!” John took Mary into his home and cared for her as

if she were his own mother until the day she died. “Obviously,

John had learned the lessons he needed to learn…to be a humble,

loving servant—or else Jesus would not have given him the care of

His own mother” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 115).

It is not our ability but our faithfulness that brings us

opportunities for service. Later, John wrote a Gospel and 3 Letters

of the New Testament. Nearing the end of his life he was exiled on

the Isle of Patmos. It was there that God gave him a great vision of

the future and Heaven that John recorded for us in the Book of

Revelation. When we are faithful God gives us more opportunities

for service and by continuing faithful there is great reward!

ILLUS: One stormy night an elderly couple entered in the lobby of

a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk told them

that all the hotels in town were filled, “but I can’t send a

fine couple like you out in the rain. Would you be willing

to stay in my room?” The couple hesitated but the clerk

insisted. The next morning when the man paid the bill he

told the young clerk, “You are the kind of clerk who

should be managing the best hotel in the United States.

Someday I’ll build you one.” The clerk smiled politely.

A few years later the clerk received a letter form the elderly

man recalling the stormy night and asking him to come to

New York and a round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the

clerk arrived in New York the host took him to the corner

of 5th Avenue and 34th Street where stood a magnificent

new building. “That is the hotel I have built for you to

manage.” The man was William Waldorf Astor, and the

hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. The young clerk

was George C. Boldt who became its first manager.

CLOSING: John died, by most accounts, around A.D. 98, during the reign of

Emperor Trajan. Jerome says in his commentary on Galatians that

the aged apostle John was so frail in his final days at Ephesus that

He had to carried into the church. One phrase was constantly on

his lips: “My little children, love one another.” Asked why he

always said this, he replied, “It is the Lord’s command, and if this

alone be done, it is enough” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John

MacArthur. pp. 116-117).

From the transformation of John we learn that faithfulness to the

Lord Jesus Christ brings change and opportunities for service. It

brings to our lives THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH.

Friend, Have you found that balance? Are you grounded in truth

and gracious in love? Ephesians 4:15a tells us we are to be

“Speaking the truth in love..” my friends, are we doing that?

Preacher Fred Craddock said, “We think giving our all to the Lord is

like taking $1,000 bill and laying it on the table-‘Here’s my life,

Lord. I’m giving it all.’ But the reality for most of us is that He

sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $1000 for quarters.

We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there.

Listen to a neighbor kid’s problems instead of saying, ‘Get lost’. Go

to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in

a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isn’t glorious. It

is done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at a time. It would

be easy to go out in a flash of glory, it harder to live the Christian

life little by little over the long haul.”

THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH is found as WE

PROMPTLY RECEIVE THE TRUTH and as WE FAITHFULLY

PRACTICE THE TRUTH.

NOTES: 1. John MacArthur. Twelve Ordinary Men. p. 96.

2. MacArthur. p. 96.

3. Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines On The New

Testament. p. 125.

4. Gary M. Burge. John: The NIV Application Commentary. p. 554.

5. Burge. p. 554.

6. Bruce Milne. The Message of John. p. 295.

7. MacArthur. p. 115.

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