Good morning. The apostle John had a unique relationship with Jesus. John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” That may sound a bit presumptuous. Is John suggesting that Jesus loved him more, or at least better, than He loved the others? I don’t think so. I don’t think that when John writes his gospel while using these words in reference to himself, it is a statement of arrogance or pride. I think it is simply the way he feels.
To John, Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, no doubt about it. Jesus was the worker of miracles. Jesus was the voice of God in power. Jesus was the One who calmed the seas and who cast out demons with a word. But above all, Jesus was his friend.
That is an amazing thought, isn’t it? Jesus, the One through whom creation came into being, was his personal friend. A buddy when he needed Him. A pal to whom he could whisper words meant only for the two of them. What an amazing thought!
What is more amazing is that this is our Lord Jesus’ desire for each of us. We read of it in John’s gospel, chapter 15 verses 12 to 15:
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:12-15
Jesus isn’t saying that His love and His friendship are conditional upon our obedience, as though He would turn His back on us if we don’t obey Him. He is saying that His love and friendship can only be real and true when we allow Him to become one with us in absolute closeness. This isn’t possible if we are living in rebellion against His (God’s) Word and His will.
We all need friends, and we all need that one friend who is absolutely there for us, no matter what. There is no friend more reliable or more worthy than our Lord Jesus. When next you look in the mirror smile a bit, because the one looking back at you is a disciple whom Jesus loves.
Thank you all once again for your prayers.
Vern & Pam