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?”
Who is this one, leaning on Jesus' breast? Why, it's John, of course! Did you ever notice that the only place in the entire Bible where you find this phrase, "The disciple whom Jesus loved," is IN the Gospel of John? It's true! Do a word search sometime and you'll see: He says it FIVE TIMES. Five the number of grace, John's name means "grace."
This is no coincidence. The Holy Spirit is drawing pictures again.
Each of the five times John mentions this phrase reveals something wonderful about leaning on Jesus' love FOR YOU as opposed to your love FOR HIM.
You see, John was very conscious of Jesus' love FOR him, EMPHASIS ON JESUS. This is 180° opposite of Peter, who maintained that HE loved Jesus, EMPHASIS ON HIMSELF.
John continually practiced Jesus' love for him by calling himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved." You and i could say the same and be accurate as well
The verse above is the first occurrence of his declarations. It depicts an intimacy with Jesus that is not experienced by Peter. He typifies Christians who focus in THEIR LOVE for Jesus. They, like the other disciples, also do not have such a close relationship either.
In verse 24, Peter motioned to John. He wanted to find out of whom Jesus spoke when He said, "One of you shall betray me." You see, he didn't feel comfortable enough to ask Jesus directly, implying a distance. He did not have the close, warm, intimate relationship that John did. As I daid, many in the Church today are like Peter in that they, too, do not have a warm, vibrant relationship with Him because of a "perceived distance" from the Master. They also are focused on THEIR LOVE for Jesus.
The second occurrence is found in John 19, verse 26:
26 "When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, "Woman, behold thy son!"
As Jesus was hanging on the cross, where do you find John? At His feet. Because he had learned the secret of leaning on Jesus' love, HE WAS THE ONLY DISCIPLE AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS, ready to serve Jesus in His darkest hour.
You see, it is only when you know how loved of the Lord you are that makes you the most fit for ministry. You are more aware of supply than demand.
In stark contrast, Peter, who boasted of HIS unswerving, undying, I'll-never-leave-you-or-forsake-you love for the Lord, he not only denied knowing Jesus 3 times before the cock crowed; he did so WITH CURSING AND SWEARING!
And where was he as Jesus hung on that cruel cross, suffering the most horrific death of all time? Was he ready to serve Jesus in the hour of His greatest need? Nope. He was off in some dark corner, beating himself up, crying and thoroughly ashamed.
Jesus knew that John leaned on Him. That is why He greatly honored him by delegating the care of His mother, Mary, to him. It was because he leaned on Jesus' breast that evening of the last supper, he was also the only disciple that knew who the betrayer was. Peter had to ask John who it was.
Church, it's not about you and YOUR LOVE for Jesus: It's about Jesus and HIS LOVE FOR YOU! Under the Old Covenant God said we must "Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind." It was the greatest commandment OF THE LAW. Well guess what? WE CAN'T LOVE GOD LIKE THAT. Try as we might, we fail....MISERABLY!
We love BECAUSE He first loved us. That's how we love God under the New Covenant. It's a response.
The third occurrence is on the morning when Jesus rose from the dead.
John 20:1-5
"Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first." And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in."
Full of love FOR the Lord because of Jesus' love FOR him, John was filled with hope and strength. He outran our impetuous friend, Peter, and reached the tomb first, though he did not go in. He saw all he needed to see: That the One Who loved Him and Who he loved so much was ALIVE! He had risen as He said.
Peter, however, needed more proof. He rushed in to see the grave clothes lying in the empty tomb in their place. They were filled with wonder and amazement because they did not yet know the scripture that says He must rise from the dead.
John was eager to see Jesus again but Peter was a bit more hesitant, having denied Him as he did. Jesus would soon come to Peter privately and restore him. But at this point, that had not happened. The actual event isn't even recorded for us. The Apostle Paul alludes to this private meeting in his first letter to Corinth. Check out1Corinthians 15:5 or read about the whole story by following this link: http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-good-shepherd.htm
The fourth mention of this phrase is in John 21:4-7:
"But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.”
And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they
cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea."
Those who are aware of God's love FOR them are quick to recognize and point the way to Him in such a way that attracts others. They always seem to be out in front, pointing "the others" to Jesus!
The fifth mention of this phrase appears in John 21:20-22 at the end of the discourse between Jesus and Peter where He asked Him three times if he loved Him. The complete story of that interchange can be found in the link above.
"Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Peter saw John following Jesus and asked, "What about this man?" Jesus' answered that he need not worry what other people are doing. "YOU FOLLOW ME." Those who know how much they are loved BY Jesus don't need anyone to tell them what to do or where to go. They're too focused on and occupied with Jesus, following Him. The others seem all too concerned about what everyone else is doing instead of occupying themselves with Jesus. They need to turn around and face the other way.
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