The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

“One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus (Jn 13:23).”

            This is the first of the accounts in St. John’s Gospel that references the disciple whom Jesus loved.  Who is this disciple?  The closing of the Gospel reveals that this is the disciple who witnessed all of these things and wrote these things down (Jn 21:24).  Some scholars believe this to be St. John the Apostle, while others may consider it to be a different John, perhaps John the Elder.  “Elder” is the self-named title for the author of the second and third epistles of John.  The writing styles are similar and could very well be the same author.  Others attribute the authorship to someone who knew one of these John’s, such as Papias, the Bishop of Hierapolis.  Some suggest a hidden disciple that was part of the Temple establishment, as there were inside accounts mentioned in John’s Gospel that were not in the Synoptics.  There are several possibilities, but when we focus too much on who wrote the Gospel, we forget the message.  So, who is the disciple whom Jesus loved?  To answer this question, one should ask the opposite question.  Who is the disciple whom Jesus did not love?  The answer to that would be no one.  Therefore, the beloved disciple could very well be different persons with different accounts.  This theory leads to the authorship being to someone who was a witness, but also a third party when it pertains to some of the accounts.  Either way, we now get back to the fact that no one is a disciple whom Jesus did not love.  Jesus loves all his disciples.  So, who is the disciple whom Jesus loved?

            You are!  We all are!  When we consider that each individual disciple is the beloved disciple, the reader will reach new conclusions to the intended meaning behind the messages in the Gospel.  But, how can we conclude that we are a beloved disciple?  Elsewhere in Scripture, John states that “[God] loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins (1 Jn 4:10).”  St. Paul tells us that “our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us (2 Thes 2:16).”  We are all loved by Christ, and therefore we are all the beloved disciple.

            Some messages that one walks away by reading the Gospel in this light are plentiful.  One that will help a Catholic explaining our devotion to Mary is at the foot of the cross.  Many already view the statement from Christ to “behold your mother” as instruction to the faithful.  Those that doubt the meaning behind this command from the cross my see it differently when they realize that Jesus is talking to the reader, not just to the beloved disciple in the Gospel.  We are to behold Mary, our mother, and since she is our mother, to honor her is a commandment that existed since the Exodus, to honor thy father and thy mother.  Why do we honor Mary?  Because it is a commandment, both in stone and by the dying words of Jesus Christ.

            Another message that jumps out is when the beloved disciple ran to the tomb.  He arrived first but waited for Peter before entering.  What is the author telling the reader?  Arrive at Mass prior to the procession.  The celebrant of the Mass doesn’t wait on us, but we wait on him, just as we wait and follow Christ.  We don’t tell Christ to follow us, but we answer his call to follow him.

            The final message I’ll address is at the close of the Gospel.  After Jesus instructs Peter to follow him, Peter inquires about the beloved disciple.  Jesus responds, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”  What does it matter what someone else’s faith is?  We don’t rely on another’s beliefs to dictate our own.  Whether the beloved disciple follows or not, Peter is instructed to follow.  We should welcome all to come to Christ, but at the same time not waver from following his path.  Of course, this is a message to Peter, not to the beloved disciple.  However, from the disciple’s point of view, he sees Peter following Jesus, and at that time can either follow or not follow.  It is his choice, his own free will.  The way will be the way regardless if one follows.

            Reading the Gospel as a personal letter will bring the reader into a closer relationship with Jesus.  He is not just speaking to a local audience, nor are these merely historical accounts for the reader’s amusement.  This is a loving invitation to follow, a loving invitation to the beloved.  YOU are the disciple whom Jesus loves.