What comes to mind when you hear the word “legacy”? Perhaps you think of your children, whom Scripture calls “a heritage from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3, NKJV) or the material inheritance you want to give them, also a good thing according to Proverbs 13:22. Most important of all is our spiritual heritage, and that is what the Apostle John wanted his readers to understand. John wrote, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (I John 3:1).
The Father’s love lavished on us, through the atoning work of His Son Jesus, is an “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The best legacy we can leave behind is sharing that gift with others.
As a first-hand witness to the Easter story, the Apostle John understood this truth. He understood the gift of being beloved, despite his brokenness.
The Father’s love lavished on us, through the atoning work of His Son Jesus, is an “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The best legacy we can leave behind is sharing that gift with others.
The Beloved Disciple
Five times in the book of John, the author refers to himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20). Wait, didn’t Jesus love the other disciples too?
Of course, He did. This phrasing signifies John’s close relationship with Jesus. John was one of three disciples in Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and James, who witnessed special events like Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17).
During the Last Supper, John sat next to Jesus, again indicating this close connection. After Jesus said that one of His disciples would betray Him, John asked who would do such a thing. “Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” (John 13:25).
Jesus stated that it was the one to whom He would give a piece of bread, after having dipped it (John 13:26), but even then, John and the other disciples didn’t understand what was about to happen.
A Broken Vessel Used by God
At first glance, John seems like the perfect disciple. After all, he didn’t deny Jesus like Peter or doubt like Thomas. However, John was nonetheless broken and in need of His Savior.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, John, one of Zebedee’s sons, let Jesus down. “And He [Jesus] took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me’” (Matthew 26:37-38).
When we go through dark places in life, we need a few close friends to weep and watch with us. I think of Job’s three friends who came to lament his calamity. But those friends did Job little good, and Jesus’ closest disciples failed as well. All three, including John, fell asleep. Not once, but twice. (See Matthew 26:40-46.)
Then, when the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus, did John bravely remain by his side? No, even the beloved disciple abandoned His Master. “Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56b).
John’s Return and Responsibility
Unlike the other disciples, John returned. Both he and Peter followed Jesus to the high priest’s courtyard to see what would happen to Jesus (John 18:15). This setting served as the scene for Peter’s denial, which led to him leaving and weeping bitterly (Matthew 26:75).
But where was John? He followed Jesus to the cross. “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home” (John 19:26-27). Jesus entrusted His mother’s care to John, and this time, John did exactly what Jesus asked.
Like John, we’re flawed, but our failures and mistakes don’t define us. Our identity as God’s beloved children does.
We Are God’s Beloved Children.
I think it’s significant that in his epistles, John used the same title “beloved” that he gave himself to address his readers. For example, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (I John 4:11). John understood that “beloved” wasn’t reserved for only one disciple but applied to all of God’s children.
Like John, we’re flawed, but our failures and mistakes don’t define us. Our identity as God’s beloved children does.
Reflection Questions
Have you believed the lie that God wants to use only perfect people? How can recognizing that even Jesus’ closest disciple made mistakes help set you free?
Who or what is God entrusting to your care today? Will you accept what God asks of you?
Prayer
Dear God,
thank You for the blessing of being Your beloved child. Thank You that my identity doesn’t come from my goodness or failures, but from my relationship with You. Thank You for dying on the cross and rising again three days later to make such a relationship possible. I love you, Lord.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
- John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 1983), 342.