“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” – John 13:23
This paints a word picture that I can’t get out of my mind. I see John leaning upon the Lord with his head on His bosom, near that great heart that loved him so, and wonder what he must have wondered. Is that not a picture of what we should do? Shouldn’t we lean upon Christ so as to transfer the weight of our worries over to Him rather than staggering beneath our burdens. John put himself in a position to hear instructions, express friendship, experience peace, and feel safe. Even so, we should each pursue sweet communion with our Lord, the One upon whom we are to cast our care ( 1 Pet. 5:7). And what Jesus did for John He can do for you.
J. R. Miller said, ” He takes our sins – and forgives them. He takes our wicked heart – and changes it. He takes our ruined life – and restores it. He takes all our mistakes and faults – and corrects them. He takes into His hands the ordering of our steps, the shaping of our circumstances, the ruling and overruling of the events of our days, our deliverance in temptation. We really have nothing whatever to do with our own life – but our simple duty day by day, hour by hour”.
Although we cannot be in that same room, nor see Him face to face, we can abide in Him through His word ( John 15:7) and reap the benefits of His love and power. In doing that Jesus said, “that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” ( John 15:11). His physical absence does not lessen His ability to help us. Whatever we need He is more than able to supply. Keep in mind, that phrase “one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved” could apply to us also – since he loves us all. That being the case we should draw nigh unto Him and He will draw nigh unto us ( Ja. 4:3). I’m sure that was an experience that John never forgot – something that often helped him face the difficult days that were ahead. May the same be said of us! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
