Monday, February 13, 2006

A friend that stayed close

It has been six hours. He has been hanging there for six hours. "My God, my God. How can such a thing happen? Why has such a thing happen?!" "LORD, help him, LORD. Help him...... I cannot bear this any longer......Oh Rabbi. Rabbi." It was then when I heard His voice, "Behold your mother!"

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"...... So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:25 - 28, 30 NKJV.

There were twelve traveling with Him. The same twelve shared the final years of His life on earth. Yet only one stood by Him when He breathed His last breath. The one who had always stayed close. Close to his rabbi, close to his friend.

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" John 13:23 - 25 NKJV.

Now on 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." So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. John 20:1 - 3, 4 NKJV.

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who had also leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" ~ John 21:20 NKJV.

When I think about John, I see a friend who stayed close. I am not sure if he ever truly grasped who Jesus was when He walked the earth. I am not sure if he truly understood his rabbi and friend. However there is one thing that I am certain, that is, he remained close by His side. He was not afraid nor ashamed to be associated with Jesus.

Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. John 18:12-16 NKJV.

A friend who embraced friendship and love closer to his bosom in the face of criminal charges, persecution and death of his friend. A disciple who could not get enough of the message of truth and love in his rabbi's teachings. An ordinary human being astounded and transformed by the audacity, compassion and kindness demonstrated by Jesus the Nazarene. Who was this man? Who was this friend?

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:12 - 13. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30 NKJV.

"Rabbi...rabbi...rabbi..." Collapsing to the ground as the blood drained from his heart at the very last breath of Jesus, John felt as dead as his friend. Perhaps that was the reason why John referred to himself as the "disciple whom Jesus loved". Not that Jesus loved any of his disciples any lesser but that amongst the Twelve, John agaped Jesus. John embraced the love, friendship and discipleship of Jesus wholeheartedly; with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. An unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the well-being of Jesus, his friend.

I stand in awe,
Sv
Category: cf_sv

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