John 13:23
My key text records the phrase, “One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved”. This is one of five instances in the book of John in which we hear of this “disciple whom Jesus loved”, and we find him only in this book. Consequently, the name of the apostle John never appears in this book, while we learn in the final chapter that the author is “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. This lets us know that John wrote the book and that he is that disciple whom Jesus loved.
It is interesting that Matthew, Mark and Luke just refer to John by his name, but John refers to himself with this title. Is this cocky on John’s part? Is it foolish? What are we to think of someone who refers to themselves in their own writings as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? Did Jesus love John more than the other disciples? If so, does He love me more than you or vice versa?
The answer is that Jesus loves all of us the same, for “There is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The difference for John was that he practiced a working knowledge of the Savior’s love for him. Rather than spend his time boasting of his love for Jesus; or working to love Jesus more, he learned to rest in Jesus’ love for him. Great things would occur in the life of John because of the knowledge that he was deeply loved. Let’s look at a few of the moments in which John calls himself, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”:
1. John 13:23 – Peter asks “one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” which disciple would betray Jesus. The text just told us that John was lying against Jesus’ bosom, so why does Peter ask John to ask Jesus, when Peter is nearly as close to Jesus as John? The only conclusion can be that Peter (who boasted of his love for Jesus rather than Jesus’ love for him) felt too distant from the Master for such an intimate question. Practice resting near Jesus’ heart of love for you and people will turn to you for answers, perceiving that you are close to Him.
2. John 19:26 – Standing at the cross next to the mother of Jesus is the one “whom He loved”. There are no other disciples waiting there, only the one who has an awareness of just how loved that he is. Equipped with this love, he is able to stand firm at the crucifixion while all of the others flee. He is also given the intimate task of watching over Mary, the mother of Jesus. A working knowledge that you are loved leads you to the ministry of the Lord.
3. John 21:20 – One of the final moments in the earthly ministry of Christ revolves around a revelation concerning the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. Peter asks what that disciple will do to which Jesus responds, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me” (John 21:22). This led to a rumor that John would not taste death, but would be alive when Jesus returned. This rumor was no doubt fueled by the fact that John lived to be over 100 years old and died of natural causes; long after the other disciples had met their martyrdom. The knowledge that he was beloved brought a revelation of long life to this special disciple. If it was good for him, why not for us?
When John wrote his little epistles (1, 2, 3 John), he filled them with the knowledge of God’s love for the believer. He has been rightfully called the Apostle of Love, for no other disciple seemed to grasp God’s love for mankind quite like the Apostle John. May each of us learn to see ourselves as the Christian whom Jesus loves; resting close to His heart; prepared to be used for ministry; and receiving fresh revelation of how to love life and see good days. You are more than just loved, you are beloved!
My key text records the phrase, “One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved”. This is one of five instances in the book of John in which we hear of this “disciple whom Jesus loved”, and we find him only in this book. Consequently, the name of the apostle John never appears in this book, while we learn in the final chapter that the author is “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. This lets us know that John wrote the book and that he is that disciple whom Jesus loved.
It is interesting that Matthew, Mark and Luke just refer to John by his name, but John refers to himself with this title. Is this cocky on John’s part? Is it foolish? What are we to think of someone who refers to themselves in their own writings as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? Did Jesus love John more than the other disciples? If so, does He love me more than you or vice versa?
The answer is that Jesus loves all of us the same, for “There is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The difference for John was that he practiced a working knowledge of the Savior’s love for him. Rather than spend his time boasting of his love for Jesus; or working to love Jesus more, he learned to rest in Jesus’ love for him. Great things would occur in the life of John because of the knowledge that he was deeply loved. Let’s look at a few of the moments in which John calls himself, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”:
1. John 13:23 – Peter asks “one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” which disciple would betray Jesus. The text just told us that John was lying against Jesus’ bosom, so why does Peter ask John to ask Jesus, when Peter is nearly as close to Jesus as John? The only conclusion can be that Peter (who boasted of his love for Jesus rather than Jesus’ love for him) felt too distant from the Master for such an intimate question. Practice resting near Jesus’ heart of love for you and people will turn to you for answers, perceiving that you are close to Him.
2. John 19:26 – Standing at the cross next to the mother of Jesus is the one “whom He loved”. There are no other disciples waiting there, only the one who has an awareness of just how loved that he is. Equipped with this love, he is able to stand firm at the crucifixion while all of the others flee. He is also given the intimate task of watching over Mary, the mother of Jesus. A working knowledge that you are loved leads you to the ministry of the Lord.
3. John 21:20 – One of the final moments in the earthly ministry of Christ revolves around a revelation concerning the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. Peter asks what that disciple will do to which Jesus responds, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me” (John 21:22). This led to a rumor that John would not taste death, but would be alive when Jesus returned. This rumor was no doubt fueled by the fact that John lived to be over 100 years old and died of natural causes; long after the other disciples had met their martyrdom. The knowledge that he was beloved brought a revelation of long life to this special disciple. If it was good for him, why not for us?
When John wrote his little epistles (1, 2, 3 John), he filled them with the knowledge of God’s love for the believer. He has been rightfully called the Apostle of Love, for no other disciple seemed to grasp God’s love for mankind quite like the Apostle John. May each of us learn to see ourselves as the Christian whom Jesus loves; resting close to His heart; prepared to be used for ministry; and receiving fresh revelation of how to love life and see good days. You are more than just loved, you are beloved!
