Sons of Thunder

INTRODUCTION

We are currently in a study of the twelve disciples

In Mark chapter 3, we saw in verses 13-15 where Jesus called and commissioned His disciples to preach

In verses 16-19, Mark lists each disciple by name

So we are taking a moment to see what the Bible says about each of the disciples

We already looked at Peter in verse 16

Now were considering the two brothers that Jesus called “Boanerges, which means, ‘Sons of Thunder’” (v.17)

Who were these two fiery brothers?

Let’s first noticed things that were true about both of them:

They were both the sons of a man named Zebedee (Mk.1:19)

They were both part of a family fishing business (Mk.1:19)

They were both partners with Peter and Andrew in their fishing business (Lk.5:10-11)

They were both called by Jesus to follow Him (Mk.1:20)

They were both part of the inner circle that was closest to Jesus

They appear in the first group with Peter and Andrew

They were both called the Aramaic “Boanerges” which means “Sons of Thunder” (Mk.3:17)

The reason Jesus gives them this name was because of their fiery and zealous nature (Lk.9:51-56)**

It may be that James was more of this than John but Jesus did give this name to both of them and Luke 9:54-55, “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”” “But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of,”

As they are seen in the Gospels, their personalities become more visible

Some things about their personalities never changed

They just began to mature as they grew closer to Jesus

Isn’t that true for us?

They both were still assertive, outspoken, passionate, and zealous

But they also became more loving and patient with people

Their zeal and passion was redirected

We see that when we examine 1 John

John mentions the word “love” 46 times

Why did he mentions it so many times?

I believe it had to do with what he saw in the life of Jesus

He saw the balance and recorded in John 13.**

Both witnessed Jesus’ healings and teachings

Both witnessed Jesus being transfigured (Mat.17:1-9)**

Both had their mother ask Jesus if they could sit one of the right and the other on the left of His throne in His kingdom (Mat.20:20-28)**

These facts were true of both of these brothers

Now let’s notice things that were different about them

Let’s first start with…

I. James

We don’t know anything else about James except…

He was the first disciple martyred (Acts 12:1-2)**

That means he was a threat to Herod

Peter wasn’t a threat

How do we know that? Because He didn’t kill Peter

Instead he put him in jail (Acts 12:3-4)**

Again, that’s the only additional thing we know about him

He didn’t write any letters

We have no record of any of his sermons

But…

II. John

on the other hand was different

He was the only disciple that wasn’t martyred (John 21:21-23)**

He was the only disciple who described himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved” (Jn.13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20, 24)

John was literally in awe that Jesus loved him

“He was amazed that Jesus loved the one who wanted to burn up all the Samaritans, and who wanted the place of honor in the kingdom that he didn’t even deserve” (MacArthur)

He was the only disciple Jesus entrusted His mother to while He was on the cross (John 19:25-27)

He wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John, and Revelation

He was banished to the island of Patmos “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Rev.1:9)

III. What Can We Learn from These Two Brothers?

Jesus can change anyone

There is no one beyond His reach

Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, “It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.”

In the Greek text, the word translated as "foremost" in this verse is "πρῶτός" (prōtos), which typically means "first" or "chief" in English

In this context, it conveys the idea of being the foremost or the greatest of sinners, highlighting the depth of Paul's humility and recognition of his past as a persecutor of Christians

If the Lord was patient with the worst of sinners, no one is beyond the reach of His grace.

John F. MacArthur

A.W. Tozer also said, “Jesus Christ knows the worst about you. Nonetheless, He is the One who loves you most.”

Let that sink in

Jesus can also use anyone in the church

Don’t think you have to be a pastor, deacon, teacher or nursery worker, etc. to be used

Jesus chose the sons of thunder

Maybe you’re not extraverted like them

Maybe you’re more an introvert

He can use you too

He has equipped His church with supernatural spiritual grace-gifts for ministry in the body

Everyone has a gift

Everyone needs to use it

What is your gift?

Do you know?

Are you using it?

God never expected anyone to come to church and just sit and listen

He expects everyone to minister, to serve each other

All of us are to “contribute to the needs of the saints” (Rom.12:13)

All of us are to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (v.15)

All of us are to “be of the same mind toward one another” (v.16)

None of us are to “be haughty in mind” (v.16)

We are to “associate with the lowly” (v.16)

Humble yourself, and cease to care what men think.

A. W. Tozer

Another lesson we can learn from them is self-control

They had to keep their zeal in check

Not all their zeal was right as we already saw with them wanting to call down fire on the Samaritans

It is obvious that you can have a wrong zeal. Zeal may be mistaken and may even be dangerous.

Saving Faith, 16

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

There is a time and place for everything

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 there is a time for everything

CONCLUSION

Which disciple are you most like?

Peter?

The man with the foot-shaped mouth but later became a rock?

Or are you like James and John, who were bold and confrontive but later became those who cared about others?

We didn’t get to see all that the Lord was doing in James because he was martyred

But we can see what the Lord did in John’s life

He was zealous for the truth

He was also zealous for love

Tradition tells us that the officer that guarded James on his way to being beheaded by the Roman sword, was so impressed with James’s courage and constant zeal, that he fell down at the apostle’s feet and begged pardon for the part he had played in the rough treatment he had received. James lifted the man up, embraced and kissed him, and said, “Peace, my son; peace be to thee, and the pardon of thy faults.” Immediately transformed, the officer publically confessed his surrender to Christ and was beheaded alongside James (John MacArthur, The Master’s Men, p.52)

John, who was banished to the isle of Patmos after a long life, died around 98 A.D. during the reign of Trajan. Those who knew him best said their remembrance of John was a phrase that he constantly used: “My little children, love one another” (Ibid., MacArthur, p.52)

What kind of people does God use?

Ordinary people—with all the struggles, all the strengths, and all the weaknesses of people like us

It’s not what you are that’s important, the issue is what you are willing to become (MacArthur)

All that starts, of course, with a relationship with Christ

If you don’t have that today, you can have it if you are willing to turn from your sin and embrace the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

Come to Him now as we pray

Let’s pray