KEY SCRIPTURE: JOHN 13: 23. “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved”.

 In the gospel of John, we find the term the disciple Jesus loved, used a couple of times( John 19:26, 20:2,21:7. This disciples was the apostle John who wrote this particular gospel.

  Why did he claim he was the disciple Jesus loved? Was he just giving himself a special identity more than the other disciples? Is this showing any partiality on the part of Christ?

 On what grounds does God show a special love for certain individuals? This is when that person first places a high regard on his love for the Lord. 1st Corinthians 8:3 says if any man loves the Lord, then that person is also known of the Lord. James 4 teaches that, we draw near to the Lord, and he would also draw near to us. In 1st Samuel 2:30, the Lord God said to Eli, the high priest that he the Lord will honour those who honour him, but will lightly esteem those who dishonour him.

God never shows favouritism. If a man decides to show love towards the Lord, that individual would likewise receive a reciprocal attention from the Lord.

  Let’s consider the life and some of the acts of John. In the report of John’s gospel, we see he reported events that were the more private of the master. He gave a full account of Nicodemus visit to Jesus. He reported the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.

  John, on many occasions, was very close to the master. He was the only disciple who stood close to the Lord when He hanged on the cross. During the reports of Jesus’ time with his disciples, John was always next to Jesus. All these show that he took pains to love and stay close to the master. These acts of His received a corresponding love from the master.

 God is never biased. He would respond to anyone who gets very close to him. All who love him in sincerity would receive his full presence and special blessings on their lives. God cherishes those who love Him. Every child of God must endear to sincerely love the Lord. The Lord said the greatest of all the commandments is to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Anyone who does this would surely have the father showing himself mightily on that person’s behalf. He said if you love Him, you would keep His commandments. The Lord said He and the father will make their abode in you and manifest himself unto you. John 14:21. This was the experience of John.

THOUGHT: LOVERS OF GOD ARE VERY MUCH CHERISHED BY THE LORD AND ARE HIGH FLYERS IN THIS LIFE

FURTHER STUDIES:

John 14:21” He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

Deuteronomy 7:9” Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”