St. John United Church of Christ, Arlington Hts., Illinois
May 2, 2010 - John 21:20-25
Rev. Jeffrey L. Phillips, pastor

The “Beloved Disciple”/“the one whom Jesus loved” mentioned 5 times

John 13: reclining next to Jesus/reclining in the bosom of Jesus (same language used for Jesus relationship with God in 1:18 (“as Jesus is in the bosom of the Father, the Beloved Disciple lies in the bosom of Jesus”).  True disciples are in Jesus as Jesus is in the Father.  Da Vinci’s Last Supper.

John 19: at the cross with Mary.  “Woman, here is your son.”  “Here is your mother.”  “The disciple took her into his home.”  Mary represents Jesus incarnation from birth to death, the Beloved disciple represents those for whom Jesus gave his life and are commanded to love in the same way.  Mary: disciples in Jesus’ lifetime.  Beloved Disciple: the disciples to come and the creation of a new family of God through Christ.

John 20: at the tomb.  Peter and the BD run, but the BD outruns him.  Was he a better runner?  Was he younger?  Or was his running energized by his special relationship with Jesus?  “He saw and believed.”  He goes and tells – becomes one of the first witnesses.

John 21:7: in the boat with Jesus on the beach.  After the miraculous catch, the BD exclaims, “It is the Lord!”  He is the first to recognize Jesus.  This is the language of Easter.  He recognized the risen Christ when others didn’t.  He gets it. He tells.  He testifies.  How?  Because of his special relationship with Jesus.

John 21:20-25: conclusion to the Gospel.  He was probably known to the community that wrote and heard the Gospel of John.  Held in high esteem, but did not die a martyr’s death as Peter did.  Rumor that the BD would not die, but apparently died (of natural causes, not a martyr’s death), and the author of John wants his readers to know that this is OK.  In fact, he says, the BD played a central role in passing along the traditions that made it into the Gospel of John.  His role was witness rather than martyr, and that is a wonderful role.    

BD is always identified by his relationship with Jesus, and not by name.

It’s John’s Gospel’s way of saying: you don’t have to die to be a disciple; you only need to be loved by Jesus (and let that love fill you up so that it spills over in love for others).

Love and intimacy with Jesus is the first goal of discipleship.

Lyrics from number performed by youth choir at yesterday’s CMA meeting: “I’m so in love with Jesus, and he’s so in love with me.”  This is the most intimate language in the English language!

Discipleship leads to witness, telling, passing along the faith to others as the BD did. 

But it starts with a bond with Jesus that is as close as Jesus’ connection with God.

Confirmation class last Sunday: church isn’t just a place you go to, or activities you do when you’re there.  Church is the relationship you develop with Jesus Christ that will sustain you throughout all the turmoils of life that lay ahead.

Faith in Action day in Springfield on Wednesday.

But it all starts with knowing Jesus’ love for us.  For when you know that Jesus loves you with an unconditional love, as God loved Jesus, you can do anything for him. 

Old hymn: “O, how I love Jesus, because he first loved me.”

 Friends, you are the disciples whom Jesus loved – and still loves. 

Get up every day, look in the mirror and say, “I am beloved.  I am a beloved follower of Jesus Christ.  I am the beloved disciple.”

Now, how is that going to change your life?  What are you going to do about it?