lectio divina:: john part 1

I just finished reading through the gospels and specifically, the gospel of john. there is a mysterious unnamed disciple in john’s gospel named “the disciple jesus loved.” this disciple is mentioned 5 times in john’s gospel. this disciple reclined next to jesus at the last supper. this disciple was put in charge of taking care of jesus’ mother, mary. this disciple was one of the first to be told that jesus had risen from the dead, and he was the first of the disciples to recognize jesus after He had risen from the dead. and this disciple was the one that jesus was speaking of when He said that He would not be martyred.


it doesn’t take long to figure out that “the disciple that jesus loved” in the gospel of john, is john himself. when john wrote this gospel this is how he referred to himself; but I think it was more than that- I think it is how he saw himself. john had a constant sense- even into his old age (because the gospel of john was written late in his life) that he was the recipient off Christ’s love. “the disciple whom jesus loved” wasn’t a nickname for john, it was his identity. it was who he was; and how he saw himself.


what if we all saw ourselves that way? wouldn’t that make life easier and less stressful? what if we all were able to say, in our most difficult moments, “I am loved by Christ, right now. Right now He loves me and is directing His love toward me. I am the disciple whom jesus loves.” maybe that would help us to keep our cool and to make better decisions under fire. maybe that would help us to be gracious even when we are under pressure. maybe that’s what helped john stand up to the roman empire and refuse to stop speaking of Christ. maybe that’s why they exiled him instead of beheading him- because they could tell just by being with him that he was loved by Christ. understanding that you are loved by christ changes everything.


when you are loved by jesus, that is enough. you don't need to put on a song and dance to get others to love you. you are already loved; perfectly and infinitely. you don't need to be afraid, because you are loved- and just as the scriptures say, "perfect love drives out fear." love changes everything.


you are loved by God. He loved you so much that He gave His life for you on the cross. the bible asks the question, “if God did not spare His Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” jesus calls you friend. you are the disciple jesus loves.
believe that.


God is love.
-rev-rob