He Stayed Nearby

Today I'm going to do something I rarely do; share something that isn't mine. I hope you don't mind.

Some time ago, I received a page and a half from a book about the Disciple John and his relationship with Jesus. The person who sent it to me said … well, I'll let her tell it in her own words, for I have found from experience, her words are usually far better than mine.

She wrote ...

I read a passage last night that really grabbed me, and I thought you might appreciate it as well. This book has been having us, the reader, look at the story of Jesus thru the eyes of John.  She's been describing how he is the youngest and is hungry to take in all Jesus has.  As with a lot of her writing, she lets her imagination bring more color to the story …

“I also love imagining that the youngest among them might have had the least protocol and acted as he felt and not just according to what was proper.  Hence his leaning on Jesus (John 13:25).  Glory!  You see, there's just nothing doctrinal about John's leaning on Jesus.  It wasn't the law.  It wasn't in the proverbial Passover book of rules.  John didn't have to lean on Jesus to talk to Him.  Christ could hear him just fine.  John leaned on Him because he wanted to.  Because he loved Him.  Because He was . . . leanable.  Approachable.  Downright lovable.  Very likely, John was the baby of this family.  And his affection for Jesus wasn't encumbered by silly things like protocol.  I love that about him.”

So, that's a backdrop of the way the author has been taking us thru the book so far.  This next part is the part I wanted to share with you … it was very profound to me.  She's now walking us thru the events leading up to the crucifixion and the crucifixion itself, again from John's perspective.

“You and I have arrived at a red-letter moment on which much of the remainder of our journey hinges.  I am convinced we've stumbled on the thing that set John apart and made him the fertile soil into which God could sow the seeds of such a Gospel . . . such epistles . . . and such a revelation.  John remained nearby Jesus whether his leader was on the Mount of Transfiguration or in the deep of Gethsemane's suffering.  John leaned affectionately upon Him during the feast but also followed Him into the courts for the trials.  John clung to Jesus when He raised the dead, and he clung to Jesus when He became the dead.

John was found nearby when human reasoning implied his faithful Leader's mission had failed.  He could not have comprehended that the plan of the ages was going perfectly.  Yet he remained.  He who looked upon a face that had shone like the sun, (Matthew 17:2) was willing to look upon a face bloody and spit upon.  He stayed nearby during both Christ's brightest and darkest hours.  The young disciple knew Jesus in the extremities.  John was willing to look when others would have covered their eyes, and he beheld Him.  How can we behold what we are unwilling to see?

We cannot claim to know anyone intimately whom we've not known in the intensity of both agony and elation.  Anyone with eyes willing to truly behold Jesus will at times be confused and shocked by what he sees.  You see, if we're willing to be taken to the extremes of His glory where intimate knowledge is gained, we will undoubtedly see things of Him we cannot explain and that sometimes disturb.

Then comes the question:  Will we walk away from Jesus when from human understanding He looks weak and defeated?  Do you know what I mean by that question?

What do we do when we can't explain what Jesus is doing?
Will we remain nearby when He hasn't stopped a tragedy?

When based on earthly evidence, human reasoning is left to one of two harrowing conclusions:  He is either mean or weak.  Think, beloved, about what I'm saying.  Will we cling when our human reasoning implies evil has defeated Him?  Or that evil seems to be found in Him?  Will we stand by faith when human logic says to run? That's what will make us different.”

Wow ...

So … in just a page and a half, torn from a book about the disciple whom Jesus loved; because John wasn't afraid to love Jesus openly, totally, unconditionally … we see the type of heart it takes to remain close to Jesus … no matter what. And that includes the question the author posed about whether we will walk away from Jesus when we can't explain what He is doing in our lives.

Do we know Jesus as well as John did? If He dwells within us … we can.



Comments welcome.