The Child whom Jesus Love.

This gentle, profound phrase—"the disciple whom Jesus loved"—is one of the most tender and personal titles in all of Scripture. It speaks not of exclusivity, but of the intimate affection Jesus offers to every believer who rests close to His heart.

Here is a reflection on that beloved disciple, and on what it means for us.

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The One Who Leaned

He does not name himself in his own gospel,

but calls himself“the one Jesus loved.”

As if that were identity enough.

As if every other role—fisherman,apostle, evangelist—

fell away like scales,

leaving only this core truth:

I am His beloved.

He leaned against the chest of God

at the Last Supper,

close enough to hear the heartbeat

of the universe.(John 13:23)

He stood where others fled,

beneath the savage geometry of the cross,

and heard the blood-streaked assignment:

“Here is your mother.”(John 19:26-27)

He outran logic to an empty tomb,

saw the folded linens,and believed—

before the miracle was even explained.(John 20:4-8)

Some say this was John, son of Zebedee.

And perhaps it was.

But the Spirit leaves the name unprinted

so my soul might whisper:

Could it be me?

For this is the open secret,

the invitation woven through the story—

not that Jesus lovedhim more,

but thathe knew it.

He received it.

He let it define him.

He leaned into the love that was always there.

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

That is his other epistle’s refrain,

written by the one who learned it

not as theory,but as breath,

with his head upon the Savior’s breast.

So let me be that disciple, Lord.

Let me be the one—

not who loves You most perfectly,

but who lets myself be loved by You,

completely.

Let me lean against Your heart

when the world is chaos,

and find my name

in the quiet rhythm of Your grace.

Let me run to the tomb,

not with answers,

but with a hope that outruns my understanding.

Let me stand where You have placed me,

even when the sky is dark,

and hear You call me“Beloved”

in the midst of the breaking.

For that is all any of us are:

The ones Jesus loves.

And from that place,

from that sure and steady heart,

all love,

all courage,

all testimony,

flows.

Amen.