Faithful Friday: Portraits of the Faithful Series
by: Debbie waltz
Disclaimer: I was discussing my blogging dilemma with my dad, trying to decide what to write about on Friday. I mentioned that I sometimes review movies and had intended to review “I Can Only Imagine 2” eventually. However, I realized that a single day isn’t sufficient to both watch the film and provide a thorough review. That’s when he suggested the concept for the “Portraits of the Faithful” series. I toyed with the idea a bit in my head, saying that Christians are already familiar with them, they don’t need that. In truth, that’s probably true. However, we often perceive God’s chosen people as flawless.
But that wasn’t how they started out. In this series, I will highlight some of God’s most faithful servants. This series will begin with individuals close to Jesus during His 30-year earthly ministry, but my intention is to continue beyond that point. I have some concepts for other loyal individuals in mind. (Women included.) That’s not to say I have an extensive list, so if you have someone you think I should include in this series… Feel free to email me.
My goal for this series is to highlight the humanity of Jesus’ disciples. Certainly, they followed Jesus’ guidance and were integral to the Christian faith. However, they faced numerous challenges that continue to affect us now. This series will consist of short blogs that explore both the “before” and “after” images of God’s work in each person’s life.
John the Apostle
It is known that the apostle John is the one whom Jesus loved. As one of Jesus’ closest followers, John likely never envisioned a different life from the one his father, Zebedee, led as a fisherman. However, everything shifted in a moment when Jesus summoned him and his brother, James. He occupied a significant role as one of Jesus’ closest companions, alongside James and Simon Peter. During Jesus’s ministry, he was present for pivotal moments, including the resurrection of Jairus’s daughter and Jesus’s transfiguration on the mount. (Matthew 9:18- 26; Matthew 17)*
In the beginning, John failed to see things the way Jesus did. For example, he is frustrated with God’s lack of response to those Samaritan villages that reject his message. Luke 9:54 says, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them? ” Despite being chosen by God, the disciples failed to grasp Jesus’ broader vision: that salvation from God was offered to everyone, whether Jewish or Gentile. Subsequently, non-Jews became instrumental in spreading the gospel as Jewish faith and trust in God began to wane.
Like people today, the disciples often compared themselves to one another. They also struggled with the idea of leadership positions within their group. At one point, both their mother and they themselves asked Jesus if they could sit at his right hand. Their question lacked clarity, and they didn’t comprehend its implications. Consequently, Jesus willingly surrenders himself to the authority of the high priests, thereby offering himself as a definitive and complete atoning sacrifice that absolves all individuals of their transgressions. (Matthew 20:20- 28; Mark 10:35- 40)
Only once Jesus had undergone crucifixion upon the cross did they achieve complete understanding of his divine mission. After Jesus’ crucifixion, John went back to fishing until he encountered Jesus again. The Holy Spirit helped them recall the lessons Jesus had taught them.
Faith in action..
What does this mean?
Here are two attributes to start with:
1) Loving
2) Serving
John then acted penning what he felt was divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. John’s Gospel powerfully emphasizes that the word of God is not only alive but also actively at work, functioning as a beacon of light in the pervasive darkness of a world steeped in sin. He further demonstrates how earthly love reflects God’s divine love for humanity and its significance in Christian life. Therefore, the Bible provides a scriptural foundation for a life devoted to God.
Through his writing of Revelation, John reminds us that we are merely sojourners on our way to our ultimate destination—in heaven with the Lord until the new creation is established for us to inhabit with Him. He does this to remind us to keep alert and our eyes fixed on God.
*Throughout the New Testament, many miracles are presented from various perspectives. The authors each present distinct viewpoints, thereby enriching the details of what transpired during the event. I’m simply giving you one. You can find the other by using the glossary on Bible Gateway or by looking up the parable in your Bible’s index.