November is for John: the Son of Thunder and disciple whom Jesus loved. John authored five New Testament books: the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. John wrote so that people would “come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). His three short letters (1-3 John) emphasize the transformative nature of God’s love in relationships. His final book, Revelation, is an apocalyptic vision pointing to Jesus’ ultimate victory and the restoration of all things.

John is often considered Jesus' closest friend. While working as a fisherman with his brother and father, he was called by Jesus to be one of his apprentices. He followed immediately. Once, John asked if Jesus wanted him to call down fire from heaven on an unrepentant village. During the Last Supper, John sat near enough to Jesus to lean back on Him and ask about a betrayer. John was close but sleeping as Jesus prayed in the garden. He was so close even, that when our Savior was at the cross, he asked John to care for his mother.

His rabbi Jesus called him a “Son of Thunder” long before John self-identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved. In every stage of John’s life, we can trace Jesus’ transformative love.

At the very end of John’s earthly life, tradition tells of John brought into church gatherings on a pallet. Barely able to speak, he would whisper, “Little children, let us love one another.”

Jesus’ love is a transforming love that re-storied John and re-stories you and me.

Although John began as a Son of Thunder, he became a man defined by the One who loves him. Filled to overflowing, John cannot help loving others. He is so full of God's love that it splashes out to a thirsty world. John’s life and writing preach one message: I am John, loved by Jesus. Little children, love one another.

As we prepare to memorize together four verses penned by the apostle John, it’s striking to consider how John identified himself by Jesus’ love for him. Is he bragging? Announcing himself as Jesus’ favorite? Prideful even? I don’t think so.

I wonder if John is simply overwhelmed by Jesus’ love to the degree that he is utterly marked and defined by it. May we, too, be so marked and transformed by the love of Jesus that it becomes our identity and our life’s message.

Written by Mary Scheibe