The One Whom Jesus Loves

I have recently been reading through John in the Passion translation and I noticed that often instead of using John’s name it would read the one whom Jesus loves. So as I progressed through the book I have been pondering this title.

What was it about John that connected to the heart of Jesus in such a way? I think the answer isn’t so much about John but rather about Jesus. Jesus knew that He would entrust the care of His mother to John after his crucifixion. He chose Him.

If I was going to entrust one of the most important people to me to someone I would want to spend time connecting with them prior to releasing my loved one to them. It was John who sat next to Jesus at The Last Supper. It was John who asked Jesus who would betray him. It was John who bore witness to the crucifixion alongside Jesus’s mother and Mary Magdalene. It was John who took the horrible journey with Jesus. These are not jewels in John’s crown, it was a heart that had connected to Jesus and was not willing to be without Him no matter how deep the waters were that raged in his life.

At one point at the end of the book of John Jesus is speaking with Peter and  is prophesying how Peter will die for the faith.

“After they had breakfast, Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you burn with love for me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my lambs,” Jesus said. Jesus repeated his question the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you burn with love for me?” Peter answered, “Yes, my Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. Then Jesus asked him again, “Peter, son of Jonah, do you have great affection for me?” Peter was saddened by being asked the third time and said, “My Lord, you know everything. You know that I burn with love for you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs! Peter, listen, when you were younger you made your own choices and you went where you pleased. But one day when you are old, others will tie you up and escort you where you would not choose to go—and you will spread out your arms.” (Jesus said this to Peter as a prophecy of what kind of death he would die, for the glory of God.) And then he said, “Peter, follow me!”

Then Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the disciple who sat close to Jesus at the Last Supper and had asked him, “Lord, who is the one that will betray you?”) So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “What’s going to happen to him?” Jesus replied, “If I decide to let him live until I return, what concern is that of yours? You must still keep on following me!””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬-‭22‬ ‭TPT‬‬

This was captured in Scripture not to lift John above Peter or vice versa. It was recorded because it isn’t important what our life consists of or what it looks like. It doesn’t matter if we live to be a ripe old age, and drift off in our sleep, die young or if we are martyred for the kingdom of God. What matters is that we do all things out of a love relationship with Jesus whether that is going forward on the mission field to extend the church or staying behind to care for people we have been entrusted with. Neither is greater than the other. All that matters is that we love Jesus and that we receive His love.  What makes the measure of a life is not about what we do but rather whose we are.