The Disciple Jesus Loved

Is it wrong to have a favourite disciple? 

Well, maybe not a favourite; but one of the gospels that you prefer reading? If not, then my preference would be John. It's not that I don't appreciate the others, or enjoy the styles they wrote in; but there seems to be a real closeness about the way John records the events in the life of Jesus. 

John throughout his gospel humbly refers to himself as "the disciple who Jesus loved". That's not to say that Jesus Himself had favourite disciples; or that John was loved more, but more that He was constantly reminding Himself that the Son of God loved Him! 

Whenever you fail, fall short or mess up; remember that you too are "the disciple whom Jesus loved"! 

The first reference John makes to himself in this way is when he is in the upper room with Jesus and the other disciples. "One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him." (John 13:23) He's the closest person to the Lord Jesus, and at one point even leans on the saviour's chest. There was a sense of peace which John felt being near the lord. Think of all the wonderful encouraging things John heard that night; that's where his confidence in Jesus came from. 

How close am I to the Lord? Do I try to have the desire to hear what He has to say to me?

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26-27 ESV)

John is the only disciple that we read is at the cross. He must have had a heavy heart. He must of had a million questions running through his mind. His Lord is hanging on a cross, hardly recognisable; and yet he hears his masters voice; "Behold your mother". That day, Mary was adopted by John and John by Mary. Even on the cross, the Lord's heart was set on the needs of others. 

God still expects his children to look after each other. God delights to use us to bring about His plans. There are many verses which command us to love, provide for and encourage God's people. Who has God placed into my life to look after? Family? Friends? Strangers? God expects us to look after those who are fellow Christians! Why do we do it? John did it simply because it was the Saviour who commanded it, the Saviour who loved him.

"So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." (John 20:2 ESV)

What was John thinking? He had seen Jesus die. He had watched them take His limp body down from the cross. And now the "disciple, whom Jesus loved" heard from Mary Magdalene His grave was empty. He out-ran Peter to the grave, but initially something made him stop outside. Perhaps fear of the unknown. Fear of disappointment. Who knows? But what we do know is that "Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;" The empty tomb was enough to remind John that the Saviour rose as He had promised! 

Love "Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV) 

Love is the oil that makes faith easier to live out!

While out on a fishing boat with 6 other disciples, John saw Jesus perform a great miracle. When he saw it, "That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" (John 21:7) Which disciple recognised the saviour's voice? Which one acknowledged the stranger on the shore as his Lord? There's no surprise it was John; that his gospel records the words of Jesus that "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) is no surprise. Do I recognise the lords voice in my life? Do I allow enough silence for Him to speak? 

Personally I fill my life with noise and distractions. Last week I had a 12 hour "music and social network silence". I'm not going to claim I heard great words of wisdom, or had large visions; but I allowed the silence needed to hear the voice of God. My mind was able to think of people who would value a text, or an email. People who I could help. Why don't I do it more?

Finally, John records in the last chapter of his book Peters words with the Lord - "Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?"

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:20-22) 

Peter had heard how he was to die, and had seen a small part of what would happen in his life. He was however more taken up with John. Was he the betrayer? What would he endure? Would he be given an easier life? 

We all do it. Wonder if someone else is gonna have an easier life. If it will be longer, happier, richer and more blessed than ours? But Jesus tells us simply  "What is that to you? You follow me!" Let's not look at other Christian's lives with jealousy or envy. Lets enjoy our own unique lives. 

No one else in this world is like you! 

God has a unique plan for your life, and only you can fulfill it completely by being the person God made you to be! I hope we can all see ourselves as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". He loved you enough to die for you, he wants you to love Him back.

Yours in Him

Dan