The One Jesus Loves

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.
John 21:20 (NIV)

Ralph Waldo Emerson described greatness by saying, “A great man [or woman] is always willing to be little.” Jesus told us that the path of greatness is paved with servanthood, and that,  if you want to be great, you must be a servant.

That makes John not only a strong disciple of Jesus, but it makes him a really great man. John is an admirable example of modesty for each one of us. It’s surprising just how much, in the book that bears his name, John intentionally turns the spotlight away from himself. His name means “to whom the Lord is gracious” or “whom the Lord has graciously given.”

From the time John becomes a disciple, he reveals deep, gifted, and spiritual potential. He must learn, however, to fight some of his inner ambitions. He has to learn how to surrender to a higher calling of God in his life until he reaches a place of maturity where he stops seeking seats and stations and status and selection. Instead, he surrenders to being shaped by spirituality that empowers him to offer surrender, service, sacrifice, and selflessness.

The book that bears his name portrays John as a loyal and faithful follower of Jesus—so much so that he becomes a part of Jesus’ inner circle. He was privileged to witness Jesus’ raising of the daughter of Jairus from the dead. He witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain. He bore witness to Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. But interestingly enough, all John ever wrote about himself is that he is one whom the Lord loved.

My friend, are you willing to set aside fame, ambition, attention, notoriety, acclaim, recognition, glory, and renown to be known simply as “the one whom Jesus loves”?