Knowing You Are Loved

Jeanette Berry, July 1993

In July of 1985 my husband had an airplane crash.  All three children lives hundreds of miles away.  Dan called me the next day checking on his dad.  He made this statement, "If Dad had died last night, he would have died knowing he was loved."  What a precious thought...knowing you are loved.

The Apostle John undoubtedly felt total confidence that Jesus loved him.  Again and again in his writing in the book of John he refers to himself as "one whom Jesus loved."  John was the writer that gave us "For God so loved the world..."   (John 3:16) and his book tells the wonderful news.  Yet, when John spoke of his own relationship with God's son, he did not use a general term implying that we are all loved by God, but very specifically states, "That disciple who Jesus loved said unto Peter..."

What was it about their relationship that prompted him to feel that way?  We note they spent much time together.  The master and the learner.  John was always close to Jesus.  When they ate, John was leaning upon His breast.  John dared to ask Him questions that others feared to ask (John 13:23) and Jesus answered him. Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to John at the crucifixion, and John apparently did so willingly and lovingly.

I must admit I long to enjoy that same confident attitude with Jesus that John had.  Feeling totally loved by some makes you feel completely comfortable in their presence.  You desire to be with them---no matter where they are going or what they are doing.  You are not afraid to ask questions because you know communion is shared.

Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians).  A wife easily learns to trust, lean on, and reverence  man who truly loves her She knows she is loved because they walk together and commune with one another.  There's a depth to their fellowship that goes beyond merely carrying on a conversation.  Such a wife can take the attitude of John and say, "I'm the one my husband loves" and she is a happy fulfilled woman.  My husband gives me that confidence.

Going even further, do I communicate my love as Christ did.  Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?"  Peter became a little perturbed and said, "Lord, You know all things, You know that I love Thee."  Does He need to ask me that question like He did with Peter, or is my relationship with Him such that He does know how much I love Him without asking.  Does my husband or my children need to ask?

As I constantly reset my goals in life and reassess my priorities, I keep in mind these two things;  being "the one that Jesus loved" and passing that confidence to those I love.


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