The Trial of Jesus Christ by One Catholic Lawyer David Shaneyfelt

Jesus had good reason to call John a "Son of Thunder."  John was fiery, impetuous, and we see that from different events in the Gospels.  He was also the "Beloved Disciple" mentioned in the Fourth Gospel and the arguments that say otherwise just don't hold up.  At some point, he became known as the "Apostle of Love."  Is it plausible that change occurred at the scene of the Crucifixion?

John was likely the "other disciple" of John, the Baptist, along with Andrew, which explains why he followed Jesus immediately at Lake Galilee.  Jesus singled out John (along with Peter and James) to experience three secret events -- the raising of Jarius' daughter from the dead, the Transfiguration, and the Agony in the Garden.  Why?

Jesus called him a "Son of Thunder." He was also known as the "Apostle of Love." When, how, and why did he change? What can we know about him through Scripture and history? Let's go into his life in Galilee, how he was raised, how he prayed, how he worked as a commercial fisherman and why Jesus needed his special skills. (Part 2)

Jesus called him a "Son of Thunder." He was also known as the "Apostle of Love." When, how, and why did he change? What can we know about him through Scripture and history? Let's go into his life in Galilee, how he was raised, how he prayed, how he worked as a commercial fisherman and why Jesus needed his special skills. (Part 1)

Scholars say we know less about the Pharisees than we once thought we did.  But we do know some things.  Things from history, Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, rabbinic literature, and the Gospels. Things that help us understand what Nicodemus may have thought and taught. And those things make Nicodemus one of the most intriguing characters in all of the Gospels.  A compelling case can be made to call him “St. Nicodemus.”

Nicodemus was a rich Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews who met with Jesus and who helped bury Jesus.  Many have questioned his faith over the years, but many others see him as a believer, though one in development.  I wanted to crawl under his skin and see what he saw and why he did what he did.  In this first of two parts, we unpack what the Gospel of John says about him -- his meeting with Jesus at night, his defense of Jesus at Sukkoth, and his lavish burial of Jesus.  On careful reading, each of these incidents tells us much about him.  He turns out to be an extraordinary figure worthy of our contemplation and admiration.