22 Jun LOVE = REACH Day 10
John 13:23-25
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
I have always found these scriptures interesting. Most Bible scholars believe that the disciple who Jesus loved is in fact John himself. At first, I thought maybe John was a bit conceited when he referred to himself as the disciple who Jesus loved. However, I now believe John was just stating what he knew to be true in his heart. There certainly was a different kind of bond that John had with Jesus. John was part of the inner circle that Jesus repeatedly poured into. He was the one who laid his head on his chest after Jesus told the disciples one of them would betray Him. John was the one and only disciple who showed up at the cross and stayed in close proximity until Jesus took His last breaths.
The thought that perhaps John was being conceited once bothered me. However, I now have a different understanding of his thought process. I think John was so confident in his relationship with Jesus that he didn’t care whether or not people knew it was him. How confident are we in our relationship with Christ? Sure, we all know He loves us. Of course we know He died for our sins. The type of confidence John had concerning his relationship with Jesus was different for one reason…his proximity. John made a point to be with Jesus at every possible moment, even until the end. When you are around someone enough, perhaps your spouse, your child, or even a sibling, you both know there is a love there that runs deep. A love that sets apart your relationship from others you “love.”
I believe it is human nature to love some people more than others. How cool would it be to think of yourself as the one Jesus loves? This scripture has challenged me to step up my game, to figure out ways to be closer to Him. He is always willing; we are the ones who choose to either be close or distant.
God our prayer today is that you draw us closer to you. Place a burning desire in our hearts to have the same type of relationship John had with you. Allow us to feel the love that John felt when he laid his head on Your chest. Give us the same confidence John had in our relationships with you.