A Personal Reflection on John MacArthur
I first met John MacArthur back in August 2018.
I was beginning my second year working at The Master’s University. My mom was visiting to drop my sister off at her freshman year of college. We just had finished listening to a panel at a parent’s event that included MacArthur. It was one of those rare moments when anyone could go up and talk to him. We decided to take it.
We waited only a moment before we got to shake his hand. My mom teared up in gratefulness for how his ministry had been a blessing to our family and for his church’s support in helping us start our recently planted church through their Grace Advance ministry.
After some kind words, he then turned to me and asked why I had come to California. I told him that I came to be able to attend his church. He responded with a look of surprise. After a moment, he insisted I give him a hug and shared what an encouragement that was to him. And then he looked me dead in the eyes and said, “You are far from home. If you ever need anything, you know where my office is. You leave a note with my secretary and she will make sure I get it.”
I never left a note with his secretary. But I knew he meant what he said. That’s the kind of man he was.
Pastor and Shepherd
Growing up, my family was aware of John MacArthur’s name. It was not until my high school years that we really started listening to his sermons. I remember spending my morning devotions with a sermon transcript in hand listening to his series on Daniel and then Revelation (I know, talk about diving into the deep end). His Question & Answer sessions kept us company on long drives, the random inquiries of his congregation teaching us so much about the Bible. In my freshman year of college, I decided to listen to his sermon series on Romans. The book intimidated me to no end. I thought maybe his verse-by-verse exposition would help me understand it better. It is now one of my favorite New Testament books. So, it has gone with many, many more books and passages for over a decade.
My family visited Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA a few times on vacations, hoping to hear him preach in-person. Never in my life could I have imagined I would get to sit under his preaching ministry for five years, much less hear him read out my name when I became a member at his church, attend his 50th anniversary celebration of ministry, or serve at the Shepherd’s Conference.
That first time out there, I viewed him as a celebrity. Now, I know him simply as a humble man, strongly committed to Christ and Scripture, used by the Lord in a mighty way.
For five years, I got to see him shepherd his flock. Though necessity prevented him from being freely available after services, you knew he cared deeply about every person sitting in his congregation. As the world grew more corrupt, he always took us to the Scriptures to help us think about the issues biblically. He stood firm in the midst of COVID lockdowns, not allowing the government to interfere with our ability to worship. I got to be there on that amazing Sunday when the doors officially reopened. Most importantly, he always pointed us back to Christ in every passage as he took us verse-by-verse through the Scriptures.
For five years, I got to watch him invest in the university students. He gave them an open invitation to come talk to him whenever they saw him in his office. He came to teach in chapel a couple times a semester, always taking the time to greet those who came to say hello afterwards. He frequently showed up at athletic events, standing in the corner wearing his track suit to cheer on the Mustangs. He even cooperated with students’ request to film him in silly videos they were making. He loved investing in the next generation.
For five years, I got to know him as a kind and humble man. After that August 2018 evening, I got to interact with him a few more times. He held the door open for me one morning on the way to chapel. For me, a simple nobody. Another time, he showed up unexpectedly to chapel. No one knew he was coming, no one saved him a seat. So he took the only one left…next to me. The last time I interacted with him, he stopped to make small talk with me and my sister when he walked into the office out of the blue. He never viewed those around him as below him, but as people to love and invest in. He never wanted recognition, even at his ministry celebrations. He saw himself merely as a servant of the King of Kings.
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
To some people, John MacArthur is viewed as mean, unkind, and always saying bold things from the pulpit. After listening to him for the last 10+ years, I can confirm he certainly never minced words. But that was because of his commitment to Christ and Scripture. He knew the weighty responsibility upon him and took it seriously. I am glad he did. We need more men like this in a day when compromise runs rampant.
But he never expected his ministry would go so far. He focused on the depth of the ministry and let the Lord take care of the breadth. And look at the breadth the Lord gave him. If you have never heard him preach, go to Grace to You and choose a sermon. They are all free. He wanted them that way.
I am so thankful for Pastor John’s ministry these last 56 years at Grace Community Church. I am so thankful I got to physically be part of it for five of them. As I reflect on my life, the Lord’s work through His servant has formed much of who I and my family are today.
I grieve to think that he will never be standing in that pulpit when I go back to visit Grace anymore. But I exceedingly rejoice to think that he is now in the presence of his Savior, receiving a very well-deserved reward, and fellowshipping with other faithful men and women who have gone before.
Thank You Lord for giving us John MacArthur and keeping him steadfast and faithful in ministry. May Your gospel go forth even more as we reflect and celebrate his legacy, to the praise of Your glory.
Madelyn Moses (MA Biblical Studies, The Master’s University) resides in Bucks County, PA and attends The Master’s Church of Bucks County in Richboro, PA. Follow her writing at Meditations & Musings on Facebook and Instagram.
