YOU ARE AS CLOSE AS YOU DARE TO BE

Dear Believer,

Question: Who was the disciple whom Jesus loved?

Answer: JOHN

Question: Who said so?

Answer: JOHN

I believe you got my point!

John was a remarkable man, as you shall see now.

He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. In writing his own account of the times of Jesus, he kept referring to himself, not as John, but as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He did this at least four times. (John 13:23, John 20:2, John 21:7, John 21:20).

He decided how intimate he was going to get with Jesus. While it was clear that the other disciples loved Jesus, John went a step further by being very close to Him. John, not Jesus, decided how intimate his relationship with Jesus was. Only you can decide how close you want to get to Him, too.

During the last supper, John chose the place closest to Jesus. He rested his head on the bosom of Jesus. (John 13:23). He chose where he wanted to be, and Jesus didn’t mind. Judas, on the other hand, was most probably sitting next to the door, far away from Jesus. Or how else could he quickly sneak out and disappear into the night to betray his Lord? (John 13:30).

John got so close to Jesus that when Jesus hung on the cross, He looked around and the only person He could hand His mother over to was John. (John 19:26-27). That means John had become so close to the mother of Jesus that Jesus was so sure His mother was safe with him. John so much cared for what belonged to Jesus that Jesus knew His mother would rather be with John than with anybody else. This truth is so profound in the light of the fact that Jesus had living male and female siblings. (Mark 6:3). 

While it was clear that the other disciples loved Jesus, John went a step further by being very close to Him. John, not Jesus, decided how intimate his relationship with Jesus was. Only you can decide how close you want to get to Him, too.

When Jesus was arrested and every other disciple, including the ever outspoken Peter ran away, John followed Jesus and stayed around the place of the trial. Peter stood “afar off,” but John followed Jesus in, and later brought Peter in. (John 18:15-16).

John was so intimate with Jesus even when it was known that “neither did His brethren [son of his own mother] believe in Him.” (John 7:5). Jesus trusted John more than His own brothers and sisters to take care of His mother.

God loves all of us equally. “For God so loved the world…” is for everyone. However, intimacy with God is something that depends on the individual.

You are as close to God as you decide to be. “Draw near…” says the Lord. (Hebrew 10:22).

God rewards fellowship with intimacy. “Draw near unto God, and He will draw near unto you.” (James 4:8).

The secrets of the Lord dwells upon the tabernacle of him on whose head sits the light of His presence. (Job 29:3-4).

You are as close to Jesus as you dare to be.

I am the man whom Jesus loves.

What about you?

Pray thus: Father, I want to live to love You. I desire to be intimate with You. I refuse to be your own from afar off. I want to hear your heartbeat and understand your gestures. I rise up by faith today to walk with You, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Your Friend,
Deon.