John 17: 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
[The Desire of Ages pp 295>296] 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 and he became not only a hearer, but a doer of the Savior’s words. Self was hid in Christ. He learned to wear the yoke of Christ and to bear His burden. There was the publican, Levi-Matthew, the fiery zealot Simon, the uncompromising hater of the authority of Rome.
And the generous impulsive Peter, and the mean-spirited Judas. Thomas, truehearted, yet timid and fearful, Philip, slow of heart, and inclined to doubt, and the ambitious, outspoken sons of Zebedee, with their brethren. These were brought together, with their different faults, all with inherited and cultivated tendencies to evil. But in and through Christ they were to dwell in the family of God, learning to become one in faith, in doctrine, in spirit.
Christ is the great center, and they would approach one another just in proportion as they approached the center. Jesus reproved His disciples, He warned, and He cautioned them; but John and his brethren did not leave Him; they chose Jesus, notwithstanding the reproofs. The Savior did not withdraw from them because of their weakness and errors. They continued to the end to share His trials and to learn the lessons of His life. By beholding Christ, they became transformed in character.
John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!