All the disciples had serious faults when Jesus called them to His service. Even John, who came into closest association with the meek and lowly One, was not himself naturally meek and yielding. He and his brother were called "the sons of thunder." While they were with Jesus, any slight shown to Him aroused their indignation and combativeness. Evil temper, revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. He was proud, and ambitious to be first in the kingdom of God. But day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. He opened his heart to the divine influence, 296 and became not only a hearer but a doer of the Saviour's words. Self was hid in Christ. He learned to wear the yoke of Christ and to bear His burden.

Alle disciplene havde store fejl, da Jesus kaldte dem til sin tjeneste. Selv Johannes, der kom til at stå den sagtmodige og ydmyge frelser nærmest, havde ikke en hverken ydmyg eller føjelig natur. Han og hans broder blev kaldt "tordensønnerne". Medens de var sammen med Jesus, vakte enhver krænkelse over for ham deres harme og kampiver. Et heftigt sind, hævntørst og trang til at kritisere fandtes alt sammen hos den discipel, Herren elskede. Han var stolt og higede efter at være den første i Guds rige. Men dag efter dag så han Jesu mildhed og overbærenhed, der var en modsætning til hans eget heftige sind, og han hørte Jesus prædike om ydmyghed og langmodighed. Han lukkede sit hjerte op for den guddommelige påvirkning og blev ikke blot en hører, men en gører af Frelserens ord. Hans eget jeg blev skjult i Kristus. Han lærte at tage Kristi åg på sig og at bære hans byrde.