03/17/2026
The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
John 13:23
“Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.”
Our Identity is "Beloved".
The Apostle John had a very good understanding of this Identity, which is why he always referred to himself as "The Disciple whom Jesus Loved". Throughout the book of John, he made this bold statement of identity 5 times. The number 5 coincidentally represents the number of Grace.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Before John fully understood what Jesus came to do, his identity was engulfed in Jesus's love for him.
Why would he Embrace this identity of love so strongly, unless he somehow knew it was the "Secret" to transformation that would eventually lead to the New Creation.
John must have instinctively known that our identity in the Love of Christ held the key to power, mind renewal, and resurrection life. This whole story is about Gods love for us and becoming who we are in him.
Throughout all the gospels, we see Jesus's identity On full display. It was always a display of love. Love was always the identity Jesus walked in. It was the example and the Identity he chose for us.
Not only was Jesus the perfect example of love, he also commanded his disciples to be living examples of his love. For what purpose? So people could "IDENTIFY" them.
John 13:34-35
³⁴ “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
³⁵ By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Paul also understood the importance of having the "Identity of love" and boldly stated that without it, we are nothing....in other words, without our primary identity being "The Beloved", we would be in an identity crisis not knowing Who We Are.
1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
Nothing is translated to the Greek Word (οὐδείς oudeis) which means "No one" as is "No identity".
I believe that somehow through revelation of the Holy Spirit, John understood this, which is why his identity was fully immersed in Jesus's love for him.
It was no mistake that out of all the other disciples, Jesus chose John to care for his mother. He knew that Johns identity was secured in his love, so he chose him to be the extension of his own heart towards his mother Mary.
It is through Gods kind of love that power and great Revelation comes. It is also, no mistake, that God chose John to write the Book of Revelation, and Paul to nearly half of the New Testament.
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Father, I thank you that each and every day you encourage me, strengthen me, and enable me, to love with the kind of love you put on full display on the cross.
I thank you Lord, then each and every day, the Holy Spirit empowers me to walk in my true identity, as the Beloved of God, the one whom Jesus Loves. Amen
