Five times in the New Testament, John is called “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” What is interesting, though, is that all five occur in one of the books John himself wrote, the Gospel of John.  In other words, John uses this expression of himself.

Did Jesus love him? Certainly He did; He loved all of His disciples. Do you think He loved John more than the other disciples? No, there is no indication of that in the records. So, was it wrong for John to call himself the disciple whom Jesus loved? No, I don’t think so. The only thing in which he boasted was the fact that Jesus loved him.

Yes, Jesus loved John. But He also loves you. Then aren’t you the disciple whom Jesus loves? Sometime try saying it to yourself–out loud: “I am the disciple whom Jesus loves.”

It’s one thing to say you love Him, but something greater is to know that He loves you. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

Karl Barth, the Swiss theologian, was asked about the most profound thing he had learned in his theological studies. He replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  In that little word “so” in John 3:16—”God so loved the world”—the heart of God is laid open to us.

The next time you stand in front of a mirror, try it. Look right into your own eyes and say, “I am the disciple whom Jesus loves.”