How many sermons have been given where a comment, often a snarky comment, is made about the Apostle John’s self identification as “the Apostle whom Jesus loved?” This is not a verse oft cited as an example of humility, quite the opposite. It is a reference somtimes chided, or worse, put forth as an example of an insensitive statement made with no regard to how other Apostles might be slighted by these words. Perhaps that is a proper inference, but please consider an alternative meaning,

Another meaning one could take from this phrasing is that John was expressing extreme humility, not a slam on others or speaking with shameless self promotion. John does not describe himself as a disciple who loved Jesus. A statement regarding his own love and its quality or value could much more easily be understood as rooted in hubris. With such a statement the focus would clearly be directed on himself. Is it not appropriate and fitting to acknowledge Christ first? How could he better discuss Christ’s love and Christ as the originator of love? John here could simply be identifying himself a benefactor of Christ’s love. John is called the Apostle of Love, John’s consistent message is that of declaring God’s infinite love, divine love. John speaks much less of himself than many of the other authors of scripture. The whole body of his work is singular in its focus of proclaiming God’s unchanging love for the world, for all time and eternity, without limit, without end.

Hubris is ubiquitous in today’s culture and often encouraged, modeled, taught, and rewarded. Perhaps the perception of hubris in John’s self identification is more a reflection of today’s culture than in the meaning that John, overtly or subconsciously, or the Holy Spirit, intended. Certainly confidence can be a virtue, but not overconfidence, pride, nor arrogance. Yet today these traits are normative in our marketplaces, media, schools and even churches and homes. Shame is often cast on those “lacking” in the area of self promotion. Quiet lives based on humility, service, or deference to others — or God — are seldom recognized by our society, and even our churches. To the humble in spirit this is only right and proper. Glory rightly goes to God. Societies, like men, are free to promote and live according to their own sets of values. However, it seems God’s people, His church, would be governed by values in conformance with humility that minimize hubris rather than value such attitudes.

If the Apostle John’s words were penned (or tweeted) today from any number of  popular leaders, an assumption of hubris would be most appropriate. However, does not John deserve consideration for maturing beyond youthful outbursts of self interest? John spent years walking with Christ while He was on earth. More importantly, he spent decades serving his Lord and walking with — and in — God’s Spirit.  

There are certainly two sides on this issue. Even as an Apostle, John was a man, a sinner, called and redeemed by Christ. Even as he wrote these words he was still short of the perfection which would be complete when eternally in the presence of his Savior. John’s youthful arrogance does seem to epitomize hubris as documented forever in the argument with his brother James regarding their positions in the eternal kingdom of God. Perhaps immaturity and flaws remained in John’s thinking, however, is it not much more likely that Jesus, and subsequently the Holy Spirit, worked in John’s life and corrected and matured John’s self perception, his ambition, his self-interest? It is evident that Christ indeed worked change in John, fundamental change, just as He did in others.

One can certainly be let down in assuming the best about people. Man seems to blow it regularly and often. That is certainly both my practice and experience! However, one can never be let down when assuming the best about God. He is faithful. He is better than the best I am capable of thinking. One will never be let down in assuming good things about Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired and John recorded or authored the following words to us and for us:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” (John 1:1–4, NASB95)

““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB95)

““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34, NASB95)

“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8, NASB95)

The lives of the Apostles following Christ’s rising from the dead demonstrate that the Apostles, including John, were mightily changed men. Certainly they were changed from their experiences with Christ, but also, they were changed through the work of the Holy Spirit which followed. John’s writings which so consistently point to God, and to the love of God, testify to his humility.

With close reading of God’s Word, one can choose to view this servant and messenger favorably. Of course, John was a man; the potential exists that a hypothesis of critical judgement could be correct as applied to John. A fact which is not open to question is the power of God to change His servants. The same Christ who rose from the dead is the Christian’s source of sanctification each and every day. If one is to err, let it not be in underestimating the power and love of our God and His ability to change man by His glory, power, light and love — in the here and now.