THE ONE THAT HE LOVES

Jn.13:23 – Lying back on Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

This is quite a glimpse into the moment of moments in the history of man. One disciple was revealed as the betrayer, the other as the one Jesus loved. Which one of these disciples fits you? Maybe both of them fit all of us. Judas was leaving these most intimate of moments to use his position of influence with Christ for personal gain, he would turn Jesus over to the priests for a price. John was content to be leaning on Jesus breast, this was all John needed. When everything is said and done, all the jostling for position, all the plotting and scheming is over John had chosen what really matters. John’s place in the pecking order of the kingdom had lost its pull on John. What had changed for Him? He discovered what really matters in life, Jesus loved him. Jesus loved John, what else did he need? Here is a short quote from Barclay followed by a snippet from Simmons on this special verse.

“The disciple whom Jesus loved is never named. Some have thought that he was Lazarus, for Jesus loved Lazarus (John 11:36). Some have thought that he was the rich young ruler, for Jesus loved him (Mark 10:21); and it has been imagined that in the end he did decide to stake everything on Jesus. Some have thought that he was some otherwise unknown young disciple who was specially near and dear to Jesus. Some have thought that he was not a flesh-and-blood person at all, but only an ideal picture of what the perfect disciple ought to be. But the general opinion has always been that the beloved disciple was none other than John himself; and we may well believe that.”

“The Aramaic is “the one Jesus showed mercy to.” This was obviously John, the one who wrote this Gospel. Remember, you too can say, “I am the disciple who Jesus dearly loves and shows mercy to.”

This verse always reminds me of Joseph, after all his father Israel loved Joseph more than all his brothers. I have always thought of myself as the one that the Father and Jesus loves more than all the others. How can I say that? Ever since I tasted His love for me that August night of 1973 in New Orleans I knew He loved me. I thought how can anyone else be loved like this? Let me let you in on a secret, this amazing God loves you more than anyone else too !!!