John 13:23 NLT
The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.
John 19:26 NLT
When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son."
John 20:2 NLT
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
John 21:7 NLT
Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.
John 21:20 NLT
Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved-the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, "Lord, who will betray you?"
It's very interesting how John refers to himself in his gospel writings: "the disciple Jesus loved" - surely Jesus loved ALL his disciples, didn't He?
Emphatically, I proclaim without doubt: "Oh yes He does!
But John was absolutely convinced beyond doubt that he was loved by Jesus.
He had stayed close enough to Him to receive that love and acceptance on a moment by moment basis throughout Jesus' ministry journey.
Perhaps the term should have been "the disciple who loved Jesus"?
Notice, Jesus didn't ask John, but Peter, if he loved Him.
Moreover, from the Cross Jesus commissioned John to look after His mum.
We all know how precious our mums are to us, Jesus was no different. So he chose John because he was loyal and faithful enough to entrust His dearest, closest relative.
So I ask myself: "Do I dwell close enough to be totally convinced that Jesus loves me? Can Jesus trust me with other people's lives?"
Have I that deep "love receptor" in my heart to contain and indeed overflow that Divine care and concern?
Are there times of adversity that cause me to question Jesus' love for me?
John endured many challenging times but always kept that conviction of Jesus' personal love for him.
He'd witnessed the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus with his own eyes and remained faithful to the end of his days.
How wonderful to have been there, but Jesus pronounced that we who have never seen or heard are more privileged and blessed:
John 20:29 NLT
Then Jesus told him (Thomas), "You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me."
This morning I proclaim that I am blessed because I believe and know that Jesus loves me.
As the old hymn says:
I am so glad that our Father in heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see:
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.
2
Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He does love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
3
Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.”
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