There’s a message God wanted me to hear. And, a woman—Beth Templeton, adoptive mom and gifted teacher–got to deliver it in the presence of 450 other women.
How’s that for a personal lesson?
John. Author of 5 books in the New Testament. The only disciple who was with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, present during His crucifixion, and witness to His Resurrection.
In his Gospel, one of the books he wrote inspired by God, he calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved. No less than 5 times (13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20)
Why did he do this?
Sorta sounds prideful, maybe boastful. Was John an egotist? Did he simply think so highly of himself that he had to rub it in that he was the one who Christ loved?
This is John—the only disciple who did not run away or hide from authorities when persecution and conviction from the Roman Oppressers and the Jewish Pharisees and Sadducees were rumbling towards them.
Take a look at a few of the other words of John. This man knew about love. In fact, in his three short letters, he made more than 25 references to love. 1 John 4:7-10 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
John was more conscious of Jesus’ love for him than he was of his love for Jesus.
And, that’s the message I needed to hear.
Because, here’s the thing, my love for Jesus? It’s not really that great. It’s in constant, weak, unfaithful, changing, unpredictable. It’s often self-seeking, at times subtly so and other times quite obviously.
But, Jesus’ love for me? Now, that’s great. In fact, it’s perfect. It’s full. It’s utterly complete, not lacking in anything. It’s constant and faithful, never changing and totally dependable.
And, that’s what I want to be thinking about.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
And, I’m thinking that as I become more conscious of that love, I may just find that my love is becoming more perfect in the process.
So, I’m claiming it.
I’m the mother Jesus loves.
And, I now have a beautiful physical reminder of that personal message delivered just to me. Kim made it for me. I printed it and framed it in a chalkboard frame so I can add some extra messages there if I need some specific reminders that day. She made me another one too. My family may be finding little notes all over the house.
You know, you are the mother Jesus loves too. So, you just let me know if you want some reminders for your loved self too. Kim has volunteered to personalize these images for a donation of $5 or more to The Sparrow Fund. So cool.
Go ahead, claim His love with me.
And, if you want a little more to read about God’s thoughts about mothers in particular, head over here for a read about 8 mothers from the Bible and how God loved on them.