Appointed To Bear Fruit: A 90 Day Journeyنموونە

Our Access to God

When I first began serving the Lord I sought to make a name for myself. I wanted others to see that I was successful. Because I desired the praise of men over the praise of God, I tried to stand out. On one occasion, there was an invitation-only ministry gathering where many important people were in attendance. I thought that if I attended the event, then all these important people would see how influential I was. I contacted some people and finally one of them was able to secure an invitation for me. After the event ended and I had returned home, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin. I should have been satisfied knowing that God alone acknowledged me. At that moment, I realized how much I sought the praise of men and was building my ministry with wrong motives.

Several times in the Gospel of John we come across the phrase, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” That disciple’s name is never mentioned. John is intentionally expressing that the disciples’ name is not of importance. This disciple is satisfied simply by knowing that Jesus loved him. He does not need to stand out. But “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is none other than John himself. With humility, John refuses to write his own name in his gospel so that the focus and glory is on Christ. But, John was not always concerned with the glory of Christ. When he followed Jesus to Jerusalem, John was still trying to secure a throne for himself (Matt. 20:21-24). John had a golden opportunity to promote himself and push aside the other disciples, thereby securing the leadership of the church, when he wrote his gospel account. But something had changed. After Jesus died and rose again, John finally realized that God humbles the proud and lifts up the humble. Now John understood and was living out Jesus’ example. That’s why he omitted his own name from his gospel.

Take a moment and examine your heart. Are you proud or humble? When you compare yourself to others, you can appear so willing to serve the Lord. But our comparison is not to one another, it’s to Jesus. Jesus’ willingness to wash His disciples’ feet and bear our sins on the cross should be reflected by us in serving with humility. There was nothing too humiliating that Jesus was not willing to do for us. At the time that the whole world should have honored and lifted up His name, He was raised up high on a cross and ridiculed. Even when Jesus was mocked and abused, He refused to call down angels to wipe out His enemies. Instead Jesus prayed for them saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

John did not use his status as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” for personal profit either. He was content with being near Jesus. At any time, with no need for making an appointment or going through an intermediary, John could speak with Jesus. We too can enjoy this same access. We are children of God. Jesus loves us just as He loved John. If you are struggling with sadness or confusion, you can go right to Jesus. You don’t need to schedule a time with Him; He’s always available. At every moment and in whatever place you find yourself, Jesus is there to meet you. Praise God that we don’t need a mediator to bring us to Jesus. Take advantage of this special privilege—you can go directly to the living Christ anytime you want to. Peter didn’t have the courage to ask Jesus directly. Instead, he asked for John’s assistance even though he had the same access to Jesus that John did. Don’t be timid in bringing your questions and confusions to Jesus. He already knows your thoughts. 

Application:  What is keeping you from using your special privilege to come into Jesus’ presence?