The Beloved
As our group study the bible particularly the book of John, I was captivated by this particular verse:
Knowing this verse for the past 10++ years, I used to think that Jesus loved His disciples but He loved John the most. But as we examine the accounts for The Last Supper in 4 gospels:
Matthew 26:17-30
Mark 14:12-26
Luke 22:7-38
John 13:18-30
We learned that the expression "the disciple whom Jesus loved" can only be found in John's own gospel =D So what was John trying to show here? Based on bible commentaries, the image of John leaning on Jesus' bosom is a picture of dependency to God's love. Surely, Jesus loved all the disciples but John knew it. "Knew" not just in theoretical terms but knew as in knowlege gained by first-hand experience and in this picture John is practicing and enjoying God's love. As I heard from Pastor Prince, which I also agree "Good things happen to people who knows that God loves them." For many reasons, but let me cite some:
1. Self-esteem is always steady because it's founded in unshakable ground, the love of God. It's not dependent on what you achieved in life, your appearance, your career, nor your possessions.
2. Happiness has nothing to do with your status. Whether single or married, what matters is being in a relationship with God ♥
3. Have a positive view if placed in an unfavorable situation
4. Grateful
5. Understands that there is a purpose for everything
6. Have more grace to love others because of the love he/she experience from God
John 13:23 thought me to have a sense that we are God's beloved and we are precious to God! =D
If we know that God loves us and we've experience it, we will never be the same again, because God's love will compel us. 2 Corinthians 5:14
Inspired by: "Boast Of The Lord's Love For" preaching of Joseph Prince
John 13:23
One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. (NIV)
There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. (NASB)
The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. (NLT)
Knowing this verse for the past 10++ years, I used to think that Jesus loved His disciples but He loved John the most. But as we examine the accounts for The Last Supper in 4 gospels:
Matthew 26:17-30
Mark 14:12-26
Luke 22:7-38
John 13:18-30
We learned that the expression "the disciple whom Jesus loved" can only be found in John's own gospel =D So what was John trying to show here? Based on bible commentaries, the image of John leaning on Jesus' bosom is a picture of dependency to God's love. Surely, Jesus loved all the disciples but John knew it. "Knew" not just in theoretical terms but knew as in knowlege gained by first-hand experience and in this picture John is practicing and enjoying God's love. As I heard from Pastor Prince, which I also agree "Good things happen to people who knows that God loves them." For many reasons, but let me cite some:
1. Self-esteem is always steady because it's founded in unshakable ground, the love of God. It's not dependent on what you achieved in life, your appearance, your career, nor your possessions.
2. Happiness has nothing to do with your status. Whether single or married, what matters is being in a relationship with God ♥
3. Have a positive view if placed in an unfavorable situation
4. Grateful
5. Understands that there is a purpose for everything
6. Have more grace to love others because of the love he/she experience from God
John 13:23 thought me to have a sense that we are God's beloved and we are precious to God! =D
If we know that God loves us and we've experience it, we will never be the same again, because God's love will compel us. 2 Corinthians 5:14
Inspired by: "Boast Of The Lord's Love For" preaching of Joseph Prince
Comments
thanks for sharing this last night.