Peter turned and saw
the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back
against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to
betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that
to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that
this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to
die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:20-23).
Love is a two way street. Love between Jesus
and His disciples is given and received by both parties. After Peter was
challenged to let love for Christ be his motivation for intimacy with the
Master, for serving others, and for trusting the sovereign will of God for his
life, Peter noticed John, the beloved disciple following closely. Here Jesus
revealed the other side of love, the love Christ has for beloved disciples like
John. Here discerning disciples get a glimpse of the love that secures us.
Christ’s love keeps us close to Him. Jesus was
busy in a personal meeting with Peter. John was content to follow the Master
closely because He was confident in Christ’s love for him. He did not have to be
the closest to Jesus. He did not have to be center of attention in the circle
of disciples. He knew Jesus loved him and that assurance compelled him to walk
humbly close behind the Master. Jesus has demonstrated His love for us… “God
shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans
5:8). Here, He reminds us
that He earnestly desires intimacy with those He loves… “Father, I desire
that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my
glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the
world” (John 17:24).
Christ’s love keeps us growing in Him. In the
midst of the turmoil of the last supper John stayed close to Jesus, resting his
head on the Savior’s chest. While others sought answers among themselves,
increasing suspicion and speculation, John looked to the Master and asked Him
directly to reveal deeper truth about who was about to betray Him. John was
confident enough in the love Christ had for him to seek the truth despite the
possibility that Jesus might have named him as the culprit. Jesus wants to
reveal deeper and deeper levels of His truth to those whom He loves. He has
given us the Holy Spirit to our guide His precious truth… “If anyone
loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come
to him and make our home with him… These things I have spoken to you while I am
still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in
my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I
have said to you” (John 14:23-26). Jesus loves us enough to show us
truth that will discipline and mature us as His disciples… “For the Lord disciplines
the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6).
The Holy Spirit exhorts us to imitate and reflect this kind of revealing,
perfecting love toward each other… “Speaking the truth in love, we are to
grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
Christ’s love keeps us safe in Him. Jesus knew
that Peter was going die as a martyr for Christ. He also knew that John was
going to live a long life of persecution, suffering, and exile that would
produce a beautiful and prophetic testimony for Christ. He would live until
Jesus came to him with a brilliant revelation of Himself and of our eternal future
with Him that would encourage and exhort true disciples throughout the ages as
we look forward to Christ’s ultimate return… “The revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon
take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John” (Revelation
1:1). Jesus’ words to Peter about the beloved disciple John are a precious
encouragement to persevering disciples in all ages and circumstances that
nothing can separate us from His great love for us… “No, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that
neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to
come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
As we grow up into Christ He keeps us
close, keeps us growing, and keeps us safe in…
The Love that Secures Us.
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