Loved

This was part of my devotion today - out of the devotional bible for Women - becoming.......................

"The apostle John emphasized his close connection with the Messiah throughout his Gospel account. He even referred to himself as "the follower Jesus loved", not once or twice - but five times!! You could think that his language was a bit braggadocios, that they way he described himself was akin to arrogance. Can't you just picture the other followers listening to him and exchanging sideways glances that echoed loudly their "oh brother, here he goes again!" sentiments.

But then, there is one little, seemingly insignificant verse that clarified John's confidence: "Peter turned and saw that the follower Jesus loved was walking behind them (this was the follower who had leaned against Jesus at the supper and had said "Lord, who will turn against you?) (John 21:20)

John wrote this book at the end of his life, probably about fifty years after this event we often refer to as the "Last Supper" (John 13:23). Much had happened since that symbolic meal. John had experienced Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection (John 19-21). He'd been awestruck when a tornado-like wind blew through a Pentecostal Party and turned out to be the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). He'd watched a middle-aged crippled man do cartwheels after being healed through the power of Jesus' name (Acts 3:1-10). He'd also been mocked, jailed, and beaten for the sake of his Savior.

Half a century crammed full of activity had passed since John literally leaned against the lamb of God.....but he never forgot the embrace. He'd been held by the very God who holds the moon and stars in his mighty hand, and the intimacy of that moment lingered in his mind and heart for the rest of his life. It seared his soul with a sense of belonging. It literally shaped the way this sensitive follower defined himself. John wasn't arrogant, he was simply secure in the fact that Jesus loved him..................

Think about this:
When was the last time you metaphorically leaned on Jesus?
How does being adored by Jesus affect the way you define yourself?

Love, love, love this!!!

be blessed