The Savior’s Love - John

The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.

John 13:23

An elderly wife once turned to her equally seasoned husband and asked him, “Why don’t you tell me you love me anymore?” Her mate looked at her in exasperation and replied, “I told you I loved you on our wedding night. If anything changes, I’ll let you know.”

All of us need to know that we are loved and valued. It’s the cornerstone of security and happiness in any human relationship and the basis of our relationship with God.

The apostle John (who wrote the Gospel that bears his name, three epistles, and probably the book of Revelation) had a keen appreciation for his Savior’s love. He referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.”

Does it seem odd to you that John would speak of himself in such exclusive terms? If so, stop for a moment and think about the nature of God’s love. John understood that Jesus’ love for him was God’s love, a devoted one-on-one relationship in which Jesus loved him so that he could love others.

Though Jesus certainly loved all his disciples, and had chosen each one to carry his message of salvation and forgiveness to the world, John apparently had the most acute awareness of his Master’s love. As he understood the depth and breadth of Jesus’ love for him, John found the motivation and the empowerment to do courageous, selfless things in Christ’s name.

John had no doubts about the Savior’s love for him, so he could freely give everything he had to Jesus and to those God had called him to serve.

Do the men and women, boys and girls in your innermost circle know beyond all doubt that you love them? Do they experience your love for them as the love of God? You can offer others the deepest form of love only when you grasp the depth and breadth of Jesus’ love for you.