Today, we come together as the church to commemorate St John the Apostle.
But, who was John the Apostle?

Who is this disciple whom Jesus loved so very much? Is he a secretive person that does not want to
identify himself to us? Our dear Lord Jesus chose him, he was a fisherman, and was called the son of
Zebedee, the brother to James. He also wrote the gospel of John and the Epistles of I, II, and III, John and
Revelation.

The famously known portrait which was painted by Leonardo DaVinci which shows the disciples sitting
next to Jesus, and the one closest to Jesus in this portrait is John as he is shown to be leaning on the
shoulder of Jesus which is symbolic of his love for Jesus. This comes from the Bible “Now there was
leaning on Jesus bosom one of his disciples whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23) Then verse 25, says, “He
then lying on Jesus’ breast said unto him, Lord, is it I?” John never mentions his name in the gospel but
we believe this to be him.

Again, at the crucifixion of Jesus, John is there next to the Blessed Mother Mary. identified as ‘the
disciple whom Jesus loved. (JN 19:26) At the resurrection, he is identified as the disciple whom Jesus
loved. (20:2) Then next, on the fishing trip with the other disciples, he is mentioned as ‘the other
disciple.” (21:7,20,24) Why, is his name never mentioned? He was giving honour to our Lord Jesus only,
John knew this wasn’t about himself!

So Who is this John, the Disciple? They called him “The Son of Thunder”. The Big Fisherman! The man
with a Big heart, a loving heart for people. Whatever he did, John always did it wholeheartedly! He was
not one to ask questions like the other disciples would do. He never critized. He was always straight
forward and precisely to the point! They described him as being a deep thinker, he was the silent
disciple. He was determined to always do what was the correct thing. Most of all, John was the
spokesperson like Peter also became later in his ministry. He was in his wholehearted believing, the
greatest friend to the Lord Jesus.

John had an intense deep love for Jesus. HE LOVED JESUS SO VERY MUCH! And he loved his brothers just
as much in the Kingdom of God. They described John as being courageous and bold in his love for Jesus.
In a quiet way, he served his Master with all his body and soul. The love of Jesus was totally within his
heart and this deep love is what energized him each and every single day. John was intense, he was
sincere, he was unselfish as he wrote his gospel and his epistles, and also revelation.

An eagle would be the best way in which to describe John. He was Soaring high, but with eyes looking
out for the young who needed to learn to fly and who also needed to be fed. He spoke the truth and in
love for the followers of Jesus. When he was with Jesus for 3 years, He was easily teachable and was
very much impressed by the love Jesus showed to him and he couldn’t wait to tell the whole world
about the Love of Jesus. He may have been the silent disciple but he will never forget those last days of
Jesus’s life upon on the earth, because his experience of this made him one of the strongest of all of
Jesus’s disciples.

Jesus looked to John to care for Mary, his Mother. But Peter was about to fail Jesus, but Jesus needed
John to look after Peter as well. He did not say to John ‘feed my sheep’ because John would do it
automatically anyway. Whilst the other disciples scattered at the cross, not John! It was John who had
the visions of Jesus, who told us in writing and it is John who is still standing in the end!

CONCLUSION: A friend told the story of his son when he was down in the basement and was carrying his
books up the stairs. His son wanted to also help him, so the son walked in front with some books as well.
And of course, half way up the boy tripped and fell backwards and safely into his dad’s arms. So now
they both went up the stairs together and were so relieved that nothing serious happened! Jesus walked
behind John and numerous times rescued him. To become known as “The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved”
leaning on the bosom of Jesus. Amen.