When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” (John 19:26 NIV)
One thing I know about the character of God, and therefore of Jesus, is that he loves each of us equally. There is no discrimination in the kingdom. So I have often pondered at the many times when John refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” I know some interpret that this was a special relationship because John was the youngest disciple. But I often think that this is not John claiming to be more loved than, say, Peter or Andrew or anyone else, but just unwavering recognition that he, John, was loved by Jesus. What a wonderful truth to fully grasp!
That Jesus loved His disciples (all of them) is clear “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” John 13:1 NIV. If John referred to himself as the one He loved, then it is clear that he really understood His love and that he, John, was the object of that love.
Psychologists will tell us that the primary need of every one of us is to be loved and accepted. Certainly, we see the result of being loved in children as they become confident in who they are. How much more will certain knowledge of God’s love change us. The description of what love is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a clear description of Agape love. The love Jesus has for each of us.
4 Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
This is not only a description of Jesus’ love for us. This is WHO GOD IS. And when we accept that He develops that love in us through the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, then we can share it with others.
Jesus had brothers, yet he trusted the care of his mother to John. I think he knew he could trust John with that responsibility because John lived in His love and was ready to share it. When we truly ‘get’ how much he loves us, we, too, are ready to be entrusted with sharing that love with others—living and LOVING more like Jesus.
Today you may feel lonely, isolated from the people you love. You may be grieving the loss of someone you love. You may feel drained and empty after months of Covid restrictions, financial pressures and hopelessness. Do you know beyond doubt that Jesus loves you?
Romans 5:8 CEB says, ‘But God shows his great love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
That means no matter what we have done, Jesus died for us and for our sins. You and I are loved. And the great news is that NOTHING can ever separate us from that love. We learn at a young age that human love can fail us, but the Bible tells us:
“neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, 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 which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 ESV.
John understood Jesus’ love. He mentions love 57 times in his Gospel! Today my prayer for each of us is that we, too, would be absolutely certain that Jesus loves us. That with the heart and faith of a child, we could say, “Jesus loves me, this I KNOW.”
I will close with Paul’s wish that we all understand this love.
“17 So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Abba, thank you for loving me even though I am a sinner. Thank you, Jesus! You loved John, and you love me.
Today put your arms around me. Teach me to lean back against you as the apostle John did at the last supper and develop the confidence and joy in my heart to say, “I am the woman/man Jesus loves. “ And as I let that sink in, please fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to share that love with everyone you entrust to me.
Knowing how much you love me, teach me to trust you with all I have and all I am. I pray this in the precious name of the one who loves me – Jesus.
AMEN
Samantha
LOOOOOOOVE! John is my favorite book of the Bible! I feel weirdly connected to it, and I think it’s what you said that he was more verbal in voicing the love of God. That’s what I want. Also, as a psychologist, I do say and remind my clients of that deep need and Create an atmosphere for God to do his work!