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John was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of St. James the Greater. He was an apparent disciple of St. John the Baptist. A fisherman, he left everything when Christ called him to be a fisher of men. He was chosen by Jesus to be one of the 12 apostles, given the mission to proclaim the good news, and authority to heal and cast out demons. To be named one of the 12 John must have had faith and commitment. But even among the apostles he held a special place. When Jesus raised Jairus' daughter when all thought her dead, he only allowed James, John, and Peter to come with him. Even more important when he went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with him. And it was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen -- Jesus transfigured in his glory. And with Simon Peter, James and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name: Sons of Thunder. To be singled out in these ways, John must have been a close and respected friend of Jesus. It's no wonder then that John, along with James, felt that he had the right to go to Jesus and ask him to give them whatever they asked. As a mark of his love, Jesus didn't rebuke them but asked them what they wanted. They showed their lack of understanding of his mission when the asked that he let one of them sit on his right and the other on his left when he came into his glory. He replied that they didn't know what they were asking. They didn't see the cross in his future, but an earthly throne. Could they drink of the cup he would drink of? They replied that they could. He assured them they would indeed drink of that cup. The other apostles were furious at this request. But Jesus used this opportunity to teach all of them that in order to be great one must be a servant. James and John did show further lack of understanding of their friend and Lord when he was turned away by Samaritans. They wanted to use their newfound authority as apostles not to heal but to bring fire down on the town. (Perhaps Jesus gave them their Sons of Thunder nickname because of their passion, their own fire, or their temper.) Jesus did reprimand them for their unforgiving, vengeful view of their power. But despite all these misunderstandings, it was still John with James and Peter that Jesus chose to join him in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane for his final prayer before his arrest. It must have hurt Jesus that the three of them fell asleep on this agonizing evening. John was the only one of the Twelve not to forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion, standing at the foot of the cross. Made guardian of Our Lady by Jesus, he took her into his home. Upon hearing of the Resurrection, he was the first to reach the tomb; when he met the risen Lord at the lake of Tiberias, he was the first to recognize Him.
¾" sterling silver medal on 18" stainless steel chain.
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