“When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby…” (John 19:26a).
In the gospel of John, John repeatedly referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; John 19:26; John 20:2; John 21:7; John 21:20).
For a long time, I didn’t understand what John was saying. Was he claiming a particularly close relationship with Jesus? He was, after all, included in some of the most intimate moments of Jesus’ life.
But Jesus loved all of His disciples with agape love. Surely the words meant something more to John.
Then a friend cast those words in a new light when she said, “Don’t you think that’s how John felt?”
And suddenly it clicked. John had been seen and loved by the Maker of the Universe Himself. The Holy God, the Lamb that was Slain had walked with John, talked with John, called him by name and loved him. And it changed his life. So much so that for John it became his new identity.
Dear friend, when we place our hope in Jesus, that becomes our identity, too! We no longer have to be the daughter who wonders if she is enough or the woman searching to find her worth. We are the daughters that Jesus loves!
May we embrace that identify today and allow our small, simple souls to take hope and take flight in who we truly are.
For myself, I will proclaim with joy, “I am Shelby, whom Jesus loves.”
Will you try it, too? “I am _________ (say your name) whom Jesus loves!”
Until next time,
Shelby
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