And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);
Mark 3:13–17
It is easy to remember John as the apostle who wrote so beautifully about love. It is harder to remember that he was once known as a Son of Thunder.
Jesus gave James and John this nickname because their personalities were intense, passionate, and impulsive. They were quick to speak, eager to defend what they believed, and sometimes more interested in winning than loving.
Jesus did not choose John because he had already become the man who would write, “Beloved, let us love one another.” Jesus chose him while he was still rough around the edges. The same is true for us.
Christ never calls finished people. He calls willing people.
He does not erase our personalities; He redeems them. Our determination becomes perseverance. Our boldness becomes courage. Our passion becomes compassion. Even our greatest weaknesses become places where His grace is displayed most clearly.
John’s life reminds us that sanctification is often slow, but it is always purposeful. The man once known for thunder became the disciple who most consistently wrote about love, not because his personality changed overnight, but because he spent years walking with Jesus.
As we begin studying 1 John, we should remember that the letter was written by a man whose life had been transformed by the very Savior he proclaimed.
The same Christ who transformed John is still transforming us.
Father, thank You for loving us as we are while refusing to leave us where we are. Continue shaping our hearts into the likeness of Christ. Transform our weaknesses into strengths for Your glory and make our lives living testimonies of Your grace.
Being Transformed,
eep
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