LEAN IN CHILD OF GOD - John 13:25

I have a dear friend and prayer partner named Lisa.  She and I have been meeting regularly for years to pray for one another and our families.  When I arrive at her home, Lisa always greets me with a hug and a kiss.  But I don’t have to wait for Lisa.  Before I even ring the doorbell, I can hear her dog Elbe barking his own greeting.  She tells me he starts long before I actually get to the door.  He recognizes the sound of my car door slamming and is preparing his own unique welcome!

Once I’m inside the door, I’m suddenly made of Velcro!  Elbe, tail wagging furiously, gets as close as he can, and sticks!  I can bend down to pet him, and start moving into the living room, but not once does he separate himself from me.  He leans in and refuses to let go.

I’ve been slowly reading through the gospel of John the last few months.  This morning I read from John 13, verses 21-30.  Jesus’ divine appointment with Calvary’s cross is just a day away.  He and his disciples are celebrating the Passover supper together.  Jesus knows that He is about to be betrayed by Judas, one of his 12 closest companions for the last three years.  As he and the twelve recline at the table, troubled in spirit, He says:

John 13:21 “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”

The disciples simply stared at each other, with no clue at all of whom Jesus spoke.  John, referring to himself by the title he often used, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, was seated right next to Jesus.  Peter motioned to him to ask the Lord which of them He meant.

We’re told in verse 25 that John leaned back against Jesus and asked him which of them it was.  Jesus didn’t directly name anyone.  He simply answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish”.  Then He did so, and gave the bread to Judas.

There is a lot upon which I could comment from just this portion of the passage, but the simple thing that struck me this morning, and led me to think of my good canine friend, Elbe, was the intimacy between John and Jesus.  It’s reflected in John’s name for himself, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, and in the act of leaning against the Lord.

Each spring I try to attend a ladies retreat held at the Tuscorara Inn in Bethel, Pennsylvania.  On the Sunday of the retreat there is always a time of sharing how the Lord revealed Himself to us during the weekend.  At the last retreat, after many women had shared, my friend Shirley stood up and said, “I hate to tell you this girls, but I am the Lord’s favorite!”  This generated a lot of laughter, but the truth is, Shirley ISthe Lord’s favorite, and so was John, and Peter, and Paul, and you, child of God, and me!

Years ago, in a study called, “The History of Israel and the Minor Prophets”, I came across a verse in the book of Zephaniah that I have come to love because it speaks of the Lord’s love for His own.  It was written to the nation of Israel, but I believe it has application to us as well.

Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Maybe today you’re confused about God’s plan 

Maybe you’re discouraged 

Maybe you feel unloved by those closest to you

Maybe you’ve been betrayed

Maybe you’re lonely, or sad

Whatever you may be feeling today, you can lean on Jesus.  

If you are His child, then He is with you.  He is mighty to save you.  He takes great delight in you.  He will quiet you with His love.  He rejoices over you with singing.

Lean in, child of God.  However you may be feeling, the reality is:  YOU ARE THE LORD’S FAVORITE, and you are loved.