Have you ever read the gospel account of John? Have you wondered why he repeatedly called one person “the one whom Jesus loved”? If so, then check out this post because we’re going to talk about just that.
If I asked you if you were the one Jesus loves, what would your answer be? Do you know beyond any doubt that Jesus loves you through and through? Few of us could answer this question with a firm yes.
So today I want to look at this question from a biblical perspective. From John’s perspective actually. You know John—a son of Zebedee, one of the sons of thunder, part of Jesus’s inner circle, and who died on the island of Patmos.
Who DID Jesus love?
The book of John has to be my favorite gospel account. I remember reading it as a teenager, though, and thinking to myself, Who is this man that Jesus loved?
John refers to him over and over again.
What would it be like to have such a name?
There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:23 NASB
Can you imagine?
I searched for the answer for years. I cross-referenced the other gospel accounts, but they never mentioned this person. Usually they mentioned Peter, James, and John. Who was this fourth person?
You know the internet wasn’t as big then, so it didn’t occur to me to research there. And as an insecure person who was convinced that she was dumb, it never occurred to me to ask anyone what I was sure everyone else knew.
But if everyone knew, why did no one talk about it? Why did I never hear anyone mention what was such an important question to me?
As luck would have it, or so I believed at the time, in college I had the chance to take a religious studies class. I had never taken part in a real Bible study before. Finally, I had a safe place I could ask my questions.
No, I didn’t attend a Bible college. I attended a public university, so you might can guess what happened. The first chance I got in the class—maybe the first day—I finally asked my question: “Who was the one Jesus loved?”
My professor looked at me with just the look I feared in my mind, “Peter, of course. Everyone knows that.”
I told him that it couldn’t be Peter, since Peter was named along with the one whom Jesus loved.
A few of the others in the class piped up that no it was definitely Peter (duh), and that was the end of that discussion. For them at least. I still didn’t have an answer to my question, but I realized my naivete. I knew more than they did about the Bible because they didn’t read it. The class was not what I thought it was.
Who was the one whom Jesus loved?!
Wait. What?
I don’t even remember how it happened, but I finally learned who this elusive person was long after taking that class. Maybe it was mentioned in passing. I don’t know.
But finally, I had my answer.
It was John. The same John who wrote the gospel account. He was talking about himself? Never in a million years would I have guessed that John could be talking about himself.
How conceited would you have to be to dub yourself the one whom Jesus loved out of the whole world? We’re talking about a lot of “greats” from biblical history: Elijah—who was brought to heaven in a whirlwind, King David—the one after God’s own heart, Esther—a woman who saved her entire nation from annihilation, John the Baptist—about whom Jesus Himself said there is no one greater.
Not to mention there were eleven other disciples and countless followers walking with Jesus. Who did John think he was? Placing such esteem on his own shoulders.
The answer to the one question I had all those years led to more questions, but those questions didn’t take me as long to answer as I read more.
Why DID John Call Himself The One Whom Jesus Loved?
#1 – Because He was.
Do you ever imagine what it was like to walk and talk to Jesus face-to-face? To hear Him teach and see His supernatural patience.
Well, John did, and his biggest takeaway from his life-changing experience was love. An unimaginable, all-consuming, coming-home kind of love.
#2 – And because we are, too.
I don’t think there is a way for us to fully articulate the love of God. Our finite minds can’t really comprehend a love so strong as God’s—a sacrificial, undeserved, and all-encompassing kind of love.
I think John articulated the love of Christ for us in the only way he knew: By calling himself the one whom Jesus loved—and not using his own name—he was telling us that we are, too. I think instead of being narcissistic, John was actually being selfless: Maybe he wanted you and me to imagine ourselves walking with Jesus.
That’s not quite the end of it, though.
I can’t stop this story here. The good news is that Jesus loves us. I am the one whom Jesus loves. You are the one Jesus loves.
That’s why He laid down His life for us—even in our rebellion. Even while we were sinners, God made a way to restore our relationship with Him.
So I must ask you now: Have you ever accepted that invitation? Have you made a conscious decision to surrender your life to Christ’s love and direction? Have you asked God to forgive your sins and cling to the blood-washed robe of Jesus?
I pray so hard right now that anyone who reads these words today has already done so; but if you can’t remember having a conversation with God to accept His undeserving gift to you, please do that now.
Please.
You can use the following prayer as a guide:
Dear Heavenly Father, I understand that I am a sinner and that my sin has separated me from You. Please forgive me. Thank you for sending Your Son to live, die, and rise again for my sins. I give you my life. Please mold and guide my heart for the rest of my days. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
(Be sure to take a look at this page for more information.)
So who was the one Jesus loved? And what would it be like to have such a name?
I have good news: I am the one Jesus loved. And you are, too. We do have such a name. We are the ones on whom such an honor has been bestowed.
John called himself the one Jesus loved because he was. But what a beautiful way to tell us that we are the ones Jesus loves, too.
What a remarkable gift.
Would you call yourself the ONE Jesus loves? Have you ever thought about John’s name for himself in his gospel account? Let me know in the comments below.
Additional Reading
- 3 Simple Reminders for When You Feel Alone from HISsparrowBlog
- Identity in Christ: My Name Is… from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
I always loved that John called himself that. It’s how I feel too. Thank you for sharing this insight. I hope everyone feels its truth! I’m visiting today from the Grace and Truth link up. Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much for visiting, Marielle!
Wow, this certainly gives me hope when I read this. What insight!! Often feeling alone and trying to find my way in this troubled world, I am the one who Jesus loves! I am pondering this in my thoughts and payer life. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in this writing.
You are the one whom Jesus loves, Judy! I’m so glad you were encouraged!
So good, Ashley. I was always confused (and embarrassed) by this verse too – and I’ve always thought it was arrogant of John too. Until just now. He’s not arrogant, he’s right. And so are you. I am the one Jesus loves ❤️
So glad I wasn’t the only one who pondered that for so long! Isn’t it amazing how the same truths just come ’round and ’round to hit us anew?
I have always loved the fact that John referred to himself that way. I know people who have said it was quite haughty for him to refer to himself in that regard in his telling of his story of Jesus but that is the key…it was HIS story of Jesus and in his story, he saw himself as loved. It was not to the exclusion of the others but he was sharing his own experience and I think sometimes our own experiences with Jesus can be viewed as haughty by others (specifically others outside the faith) but we ARE, each and every one of us, the one Jesus loved. We all have our own personal relationship with Him and that is what John was conveying. Great post!
So true, Diane! What a beautiful way for John to convey the supernatural love Jesus has for us. Thanks so much for stopping in!
Awesome post! I’m so glad someone touched on this verse. I have wondered about it as well, and have struggled with HOW MUCH Jesus loves me. God bless ya!
It’s so hard to really understand how much God loves us. I think that’s mostly because we can’t fully grasp the depth of His love with our finite minds. But I thank John that he tried to show us an inkling of that love with his own story. Thanks so much for stopping in!
I loved this – as I had the same question for years! When you read the gospel of John and his letters they are all about love – and I agree, I think he was the disciple who knew that Jesus loved him and wants us to experience that certainty too. Great post!
Thanks so much for stopping in, Sharon!
I love the book of John. He loved them all, even calling Judas, friend, as He is betrayed, but John got what agape means, why he was the last living disciple and wrote Revelation. I was singing Jesus Loves Me as I typed, why do we stop when we grow up?
That’s a good point, Rebecca: Jesus even loved Judas the betrayer. Sadly, he never accepted that love. Love that simple, children’s song. It’s so true.
I love that John called himself loved so that we can do the same.
Thanks for reading!
I love hearing how you asked the class and realized you knew more than they! I had a counseling professor who pointed out John personalized Jesus’ love. We can all call ourselves that. Isn’t that staggering? Thank you for the reminder, “Jesus loves me!”
Yes, staggering: perfect word for it! 😉