God's Favorite
Mark 1:14-19; John 13:23-26
"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him...and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."
(DEUTERONOMY 33:12)
Fourth child and the only girl, I'd be understating to say my family treated me as special. I was the apple of my daddy's eye and ruffles-and–lace-at-last to my mom.
The disciple John was Jesus' younger cousin, referred to in his Gospel as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." He was, along with his brother, James, and Peter, part of Jesus' inner circle. That doesn't mean John was given special privileges, though he had many responsibilities. Set apart to pray for Jesus in Gethsemane and to be respon-sible for Jesus' mother, he also evangelized, wrote five books of the NT (the last from prison), and died a martyr.
We know God is love (1 John 5:7-21). His love for us is almost incomprehensibly steadfast and unconditional, so we know Jesus loved all His disciples. The perfect Father, Brother, and Teacher, God lets all of us know we are His favorite - because we are! Like John, we are not immune to trials. Living with them, however, is much easier when we travel with Someone who calls us "Beloved."
INSIGHT
"GOD LOVES US; NOT BECAUSE WE ARE LOVABLE BUT BECAUSE HE IS LOVE, NOT BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO RECEIVE BUT BECAUSE HE DELIGHTS TO GIVE."
(C. S. LEWIS)
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 29-30
Psalm 56
Luke 19
k 1:14-19
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
The Calling of the First Disciples
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
John 13:23-26
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.
THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE
with Jeff Foxworthy
How well do you know your Bible? A brand new television game show might be a good test for you. Joining Charles in studio is Jeff Foxworthy, host of "The American Bible Challenge."
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