Beloved

The word "beloved" is often found in Scripture. We could call it an ancient term of endearment. Wikipedia defines it as referring to an intimate relationship of love. Twenty-first century vocabulary has lots of terms for intimate relationships of love but none that carry the rich, deep significance that this biblical word conveys...which is surely why we don't hear it used today.

One of Jesus' apostles was known as the Beloved Disciple. He's often referred to as "the one Jesus loved." It's funny that so often in Scripture he is not even called by his name...he is called by his love! Why? What was it about John that Jesus loved so much? I mean think about it...wouldn't you like to be called "the one Jesus loved?"

I don't know all the answers to that question, but I read something recently about John that struck a chord with me. John was in the midst of tragedy. His best friend (Jesus) had just been taken from him. Could there have been a greater tragedy for John than a dead Jesus? Three years earlier John had turned his back on his career to become a friend of Jesus. Earlier in the week John had enjoyed fellowship with his Friend and things seemed to be going great! But oh, how quickly things had turned! It was Friday and all John knew was his Friend was gone. Even though Jesus had talked with all His disciples on several occasions about what was going to happen to him, Scripture says every time that they didn't understand what He was saying. And even now, in the midst of the tragedy John didn't understand. John 20:9 says of Peter and John after visiting the tomb, "They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead." So, even though we know John's tragedy turned to triumph; John didn't know that at this time (very significant point as we observe John's behavior). All John knew was his world had just fallen apart.

So, why was he here...at the tomb? Jesus was gone! All John had lived for and hoped for was over. Tragedy had struck and John was left alone, confused, angry, hurt, broken. He was human flesh like you and me. Imagine how he must have felt. But, he was still there on Saturday...as near to Jesus as he could be. Saturday represents the time between the tragedy and the triumph.

Here is an excerpt from "Cast of Characters" by Max Lucado, Chapter 9, John:

"Maybe he lingered because he loved Jesus. To others, Jesus was a miracle worker. To others, Jesus was a master teacher. To others, Jesus was the hope of Israel. But to John, he was all of these and more. To John, Jesus was a friend.

You don't abandon a friend - not even when that friend is dead. John stayed close to Jesus.

He had a habit of doing this. He was close to Jesus in the upper room. He was close to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was at the foot of the cross at the crucifixion, and he was a quick walk from the tomb at the burial.

Did he understand Jesus? No
Was he glad Jesus did what he did? No
But did he leave Jesus? No

What about you? When you're in John's position, what do you do? When it's Saturday in your life, how do you react? When you are somewhere between yesterday's tragedy and tomorrow's triumph, what do you do? Do you leave God - or do you linger near him?

John chose to linger. And because he lingered on Saturday, he was around on Sunday to see the miracle."

What a picture of a beloved relationship! What a beautiful portrait of biblical friendship. Do you have that kind of friend? Are you that kind of friend? It's extremely rare. Especially in the "it's all about me" culture we live in today. Jesus came to do the will of the Father. To everyone else on the planet His actions looked like tragedy, a mistake with a capital M, but doing the Father's will superceded every other priority in His earthly life. And, John, unlike most every other friend in the most painful moment of Jesus' earthly experience, chose to believe in his Friend...no matter what!

Difficult, painful, troubled times in life often cause us to hear and sometimes believe the enemies lies. Satan wants us to feel unloved, unimportant, like a failure. But, let the beautiful Truth of God's Word fall on you like the rain (even now) as Jesus says:

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear. Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies (not of much worth to most)? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows."

Our worth is found in Christ. There is triumph, there is victory, there is resurrection life to come from what the enemy would have us believe is loss. You are of great worth to the Father. He has great plans for your life and mine. There IS a greater good coming. We may not understand it all, but if we linger at His feet, step by step He will show us how to walk in love. Are you up for it?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.

You've won my heart, Jesus!