Even John, the beloved disciple, the one who most fully reflected the likeness of the Saviour, did not naturally possess that loveliness of character. He was not only self-assertive and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injuries. But as the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, he saw his own deficiency and was humbled by the knowledge. The strength and patience, the power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, that he beheld in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration and love. Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ's Spirit, His love, s…
"We love him, because he first loved us."
The EGW passage describes the transformation of John's character through love for Christ, which is a direct consequence of Christ's love for him, as stated in 1 John 4:19. The verse provides the foundation for the transformation described.
"Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved."
John 13:23 describes John as the disciple 'whom Jesus loved' and who leaned on Jesus' bosom. This verse supports the EGW statement that John 'most fully reflected the likeness of the Saviour' and that his heart was drawn out toward Christ. The verse provides a biblical basis for John's close relationship with Jesus.
"And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:"
The Mark 3:17 verse identifies John's initial character as 'sons of thunder,' which contrasts with the transformed character described in the EGW passage. This contrast highlights the transformative power of Christ, creating a thematic parallel.
When Christ ascended to heaven, the sense of His presence was still with His followers. It was a personal presence, full of love and light. Jesus, the Saviour, who had walked and talked and prayed with them, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, had, while the message of peace was still upon His lips, been taken up from them into heaven, and the tones of His voice had come back to them, as the cloud of angels received Him —“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 . He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. They knew that He was before the throne of God, their Friend and Saviour still; that His sympathies were unchanged; that He was still identified with suffering humanity. He was presenting before God the merits of His own precious blood, showing His wounded hands and feet, in remembrance of the price He had paid for His redeemed. They knew that He had ascended to heaven to prepare places for them, and that He would come again and tak…
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 28:20 in this passage.