The Pun
The Prayer
“One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved ...” (John 13:23)
“... the one whom Jesus loved.” (John 20:2)
“That disciple whom Jesus loved ...” (John 21:7)
“... the disciple whom Jesus loved ...” (John 21:20)
Not John: "Among the first to follow Jesus" Not John: "Invited to witness the transfiguration" Not John: "Seated next to Jesus at the last supper" Not John: "Watchman at Gethsemane" Not John: "Entrusted with the mother of Jesus" Not John: "Who peered into empty tomb before Peter" He did not identify himself primarily as any of these or even his own name The greatest thing he, or any of us, can say about ourselves is this: We are the ones whom Jesus loved.
Lord, relieve us of the burden of so many boasts
To live in the lightness of 'merely' being loved.