A Lesson From John - The Beloved Apostle

There are six references to John being called the 'one whom Jesus loved.'

References:
John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7 and 21:20

Why did John refer to himself as the one whom Jesus loved ? Did Jesus not love the other disciples? He most certainly did!

"Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." - John 13 vs 1 (ESV). He loved them all to the very end.

Was it a matter of pride or too much ego that he could refer to himself in such a way more than the other disciples? The answer is NO!

John knew that Jesus loved the disciples just as much as He loved him, but he understood Jesus' love better than his peers did. That's one of the reasons why he could boldly claim that he was the 'one whom Jesus loved.'

The question that remains for us is simply this: do we understand the love of Jesus in such a way that our whole lives reflect it no matter where we are ?

Most Christians speak about God's love but without conviction. Can we think that we can honestly tell others about God's love without first experiencing it ourselves?  The only way to truly know God's love is to encounter it ourselves.

John could boldly speak of himself in such a manner because he experienced Christ in the fullness of His love. He was there for many of the miracles Jesus performed. He was there at the Transfiguration of Jesus. He again experienced Jesus when the Lord gave him the Revelation (or as we know it, the book of Revelation).

Until we encounter it for ourselves all our so-called works for God be it in church ministry, evangelism, mission work or any other form of Christian work will be fruitless. To speak of divine love we must have a conviction that is unwavering to the end.

 My deepest desire in encouraging you as you read is that you would know how much you are truly loved.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." - John 3 vs 16-17 (ESV)

And,

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8 vs 38-39 (ESV)

God's love is total, secure and complete with nothing missing. Nothing broken. It is whole.

Because you yourself know and understand this love, you can boldly proclaim it just the way John did. John understood the love of God well, that is why he speaks of it in such profound ways. Just look at the epistles of 1, 2 and 3 John and you will see the knowledge he has and not of His own understanding but that which is built on the foundation of absolute love - God's Love.

God loves you, therefore He loves those around you as well. Live your life well as you reflect the love of God not only to those you love but also to those whom society wouldn't give a second glance. Jesus pursued them. Shouldn't we also do the same ?

As you reflect the love of God, remember by doing so you also bring Him glory which is part of our Christian nature as we share the image of His Son.

'Jesus Loves You' may sound like a worn out cliche for some, but once you understand it yourself in the same way John did, you would also proclaim it for yourself in your own life. And  then declare it to others with the same boldness John did.

Go out there and proclaim you're the one (add your name) 'whom Jesus loves.'

Much Blessings,

Shane

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