The Secret to John’s Faith
How did this disciple persevere in a lifetime of adversity?
By Bennett Rolan, Editorial Manager
If you could go back in time, what would you do differently? How have you matured? How have you changed?
For each of us, time offers the benefit of hindsight. We learn from our mistakes, we strive to be better, and through the work of the Holy Spirit we grow in our faith.
When we combine life experience with a commitment to pursue Christ, God grows our wisdom. Over time, we see the world differently.
This is the gift we discover in John’s Gospel. Unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke, most scholars believe that the apostle John wrote his Gospel account toward the end of his life, 20 to 30 years after the other three were written. Early Christian writings even suggest that John may have been familiar with the three Gospels before recording his own account.*
After a lifetime reflecting on the words and teaching of Jesus, John carefully crafted his eyewitness account. Today we benefit from his hindsight. John’s Gospel is known for its unique content and timeline, but the author’s tone truly sets it apart.
John’s enduring faith and love for Christ are evident in every chapter and verse.
So how can we build a faith like John? When we examine his life, we uncover the source of his hope, freedom, and perseverance.
After a lifetime reflecting on the words and teaching of Jesus, John carefully crafted his eyewitness account.
Hope in adversity
After Jesus’s resurrection and ascension to heaven, God grew the early Church. But as Jesus had warned in Matthew 10:16-39, the lives of these early Christians were marked by pain and persecution. While the Holy Spirit sustained these faithful believers, Jewish and Roman officials ruthlessly persecuted anyone who proclaimed the name of Christ.
As one of Jesus’s disciples, John would have been at the center of this violent turmoil. He watched as government officials brutally martyred his friends and family, one by one. From Acts 12:1-2 we know that John’s brother James was among the first to be “put to death with the sword” in the name of Jesus.
In AD 70, John would have grieved the deaths of an estimated 1.1 million Jews and Christians during the Roman siege of Jerusalem. And as his brothers and sisters in Christ suffered, John himself was hunted, persecuted, and exiled.
John referred to himself as “your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus” (Revelation 1:9).
As we reflect on those words, we realize that John fixed his eyes on Christ’s kingdom to come. Through Jesus’s love and sacrifice, John’s commitment to Christ remained steadfast. When he could have written a memoir of bitterness, John wrote a Gospel of hope.
Through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, the words recorded by John encourage us today, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
When he could have written a memoir of bitterness, John wrote a Gospel of hope.
Freedom through humility
Before writing his Gospel account or shepherding the early Church, John was simply a fisherman who chose to follow Christ. Known by Jesus as the “sons of thunder” in Mark 3:17, John and his brother James were two of the most vocal disciples from the Gospel accounts. In Mark 10:35-36, we read about the brothers’ request of Jesus, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
Asking for a place of prominence, James and John wanted greatness. But somewhere in the course of following Christ, John’s perspective changed. In his writing, John elevated the name of Jesus above all else. Instead of taking credit as “John, best among the apostles,” the author calls himself, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”
The same man who once sought eternal greatness later chose to remain anonymous. Instead of proclaiming his own name, John anchored his identity in Christ.
Through simply becoming “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” John proclaimed his identity in Christ alone. Instead of seeking fame or authority, John rested in his position as child of God (John 1:12).
The same man who once sought eternal greatness later chose to remain anonymous.
Peace in perseverance
Through a lifetime of adversity, John persevered in faith. By shifting his perspective toward eternity, John held fast to these words of Jesus.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
John’s faith was remarkable, but his story reminds us that God faithfully matures ordinary men and women. When we spend a lifetime reflecting on the person and words of Christ, we too can discover hope, freedom, and perseverance.
Jesus Himself said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
To build a faith like John’s, join BSF’s next study of John’s Gospel: The Truth. Join a BSF class today!
*Mark L. Strauss, Four Portraits, One Jesus. A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2nd ed., 2020).
Bennett Rolan
Editorial Manager
Bennett Rolan joined the BSF staff in 2017 after working for several publications, Christian ministries, and non-profits. She loves to combine her passion for God’s Word and her journalism and history background to share stories of God’s Work in and through BSF. As a wife to a busy college football coach and a mom to four young children, BSF studies keep her relationship with the Lord grounded and focused. She loves to learn from fellow believers as God faithfully grows her each day.
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The following statement at the end of this story, “Jesus Himself said, “’If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31-32),” is one used by so many people about truth relating to so many different topics. However, the truth that Jesus spoke of is that which comes from being obedient to His instructions. John had learned this while following his Master on earth and he wants us to understand that not any truth will set us free but only the “one truth” that really matters…”the truth of the Gospel.” Do you want to be free? Set your heart on the truth that really sets us free. And, “you will be free indeed.”
Ms. Roland, Thank you for sharing your gift for writing with us. This will be my third time around in the BSF study of John. There is always golden nuggets uncovered in any BSF study no matter how many times you participate.
I want to especially thank you for footnoting a comment with a source reference that is not Scripture. I love BSF but I can’t count the number of times I have thought “Where did they get that!” regarding non-scriptural comments. Going forward, is there someone I can reach out to (other than the local group and teaching leader) at BSF for clarification?
Thank you.
You mentioned that John’s story reminds us that God faithfully matures ordinary people – I see hope for myself. I am looking forward to learning the book of John.
May God help me so that I humble myself and am able to say that Jesus loves me than no one else. Thank you Father in heaven for your word that has kept us strong and hopeful.
I cant find my group?
Hi Deborah! Please visit mybsf.org to contact the help desk (lower lefthand corner, “need help?”)
I’m eagerly excited to study what the Book of John has to teach me
I just reread this in preparation to soon begin my study of John. Thank you, Bennett.
I need the big book on John but I can’t find a place to order it
Hi Margie! You can find the BSF Store through mybsf.org or bsfonline.org. Go wherever you typically get your lessons and look for the store link. Thank you!
You have a good grasp on John’s personality. I enjoyed reading this.
How do I find the study notes on John?
In His love
Keith
Dear Keith, I’m glad you were encouraged! To find study notes you can download the BSF App or log into mybsf.org.
Thank you for the detailed write up about John and thoughts about him. Expect something great form this study.
Thank you for setting the stage for the upcoming Bible study of John. Your insight into who John was will bring a better understanding as we dig deep into the book of John. I’m so excited to participate in this Bible study.
Hi. I’m interested in joining the Bible study group
Hi Veronica! You can visit https://joinbsf.com/ for more information about BSF and to find an in-person or online group!
The remarks about the perseverance and humility of John have helped me to understand the reality of suffering for the sake of the gospel. I’m looking forward to studying the book. Thank you.
Loved your commentary Bennett!
Anticipating, The Holy Spirit’s powerful movement in Bible Study Fellowship, this season!
Beautifully written, Bennett! Hope, freedom, and perseverance- all virtues that are only gained thru the Holy Spirit and gained only thru our own life experiences. Things worth achieving are done thru time which demands patience, a fourth virtue. Suffering to character to perseverance to hope. Amen. Nicely done, Ms. Rolan!
I found a group in my hometown. Looking forward to begin the study of John. When will the book go on sale? I’m anxious to get started.
Hi Carolyn – all materials including a link to the BSF store are available on mybsf.org/
If you are studying with an online group you will log into your account at bsfonline.org, click lessons, and the link will be there!
Thank you Ms Bennet Rolan for the deep history of John, which i did not know. I am inspired by his deep suffering which he endured all the way, and the way he desired greatness. But in the course of following Jesus he changed his mind. And later he wanted to be anonymous. Now am looking forward to studying Jonhn’s book, praying to God to grow my faith like that of John. On my own I can do nothing.
Looking forward to spending time reflecting and being challenged by the Gospel of John. Have just joined BSF
Thank you. Looking forward to the study of the Book of John.
Indeed, thank u for the insights. I see The study of the gospel of John as being timely in the season the world is in – a very trying time for Christians. I look forward to being encouraged & fortified.
Beautiful look at John
Love BSF!
Great insights
Thank you so much. I am definitely looking forward to this new study
Bennett, your incite and summary of John is refreshing. Just what I needed before digging back into the book of John.
Thank you, BSF! I appreciate the in-depth studies that stay true to scripture.
Thank you so much! This was a fresh and helpful look at John!
A very comforting message! good timing after the. other studies so far.
I did not know the history of St. John.
Can you help me get the book or am I too early with my request since the new study is not yet underway?
Hi David! You can visit the store at store.mybsf.org. If you need further technical help, please visit mybsf.org and contact member support via your lessons page. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your great insight. It’s very helpful in setting a right foundation for getting into studying the book.
“the disciple whom Jesus loved.”
Was John the only one had been named as such among the other 11 disciples?
These beautifully written devotionals bring us deeper into the heart of Jesus while nudging us to examine our own! Thank you so much for sharing your gift, Bennett! I wish you would do more of these!!
Excellent insights into John the beloved’s life in this blog.
BSF is where you will study the word that would help you know more about God in order growth Spirituality and physically to be able to stand this evils day
Thank you for giving your insight on John’s Gospel. I am looking forward to studying the Book of John again, and see what has changed since I last studied it.