“The Beloved Disciple” only appears under this name in the Gospel of St. John. For this reason, it has traditionally been believed that ‘the disciple Jesus loved’ refers to John himself.
In John’s Gospel the beloved disciple is mentioned just a few times. At the Last Supper he is found leaning against Jesus, and Peter asks him to find out from Jesus who the betrayer is – obviously Peter feels Jesus is more likely to give the beloved disciple an answer to this question than himself.
At the foot of the Cross the disciple is given the care of Mary, Jesus’ mother.
At the end of John’s Gospel, the beloved disciple is the one who recognises Jesus from afar when he is fishing with Peter and the others on the Sea of Galilee.
Scholars have debated how much of the New Testament was written by John; the Gospel of John, the letters of John and the book of Revelation, and whether John was the fisherman of Galilee. However, the beloved disciple in John’s gospel certainly feels that Jesus has a very special affection for him.
Just as Jesus has a special affection for all of us.
c3-15 AD: Born in Galilee
30AD: Called by and followed Jesus
c80-100 AD: died in Patmos, Greece
Quote
It is the Lord!”
The Beloved disciple, John 21:7
Today’s Scripture
John 13: New King James Version
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22
Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24
Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.”
And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Thought for the Day
Jesus longs to eat this Passover with us. What is it that you long for?
What is it that Jesus longs for you and for our world?
Ask him.
Music
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