Among the sacred hymns we hold so dear is one of profound beauty. Its melody lifts the spirit. The words etched onto the heart engenders devotion and endearing faith. From the pen of Fredrick Whitfield came:

“There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; it sounds like music in mine ear, The sweetest name on earth. O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because He first loved me.”

Unquestionably inspired by the pen of John (1 John 4:19), this hymn, like the sacred text, points to the order of things. Christ loved us first. Christ perfect love was lavished upon us without anything on our behalf to warrant it (Romans 5:6-9). And because of the fact and manner in which He loved us, we cannot help but to love Him in return. That is usually how human devotion works. Jesus showed us a selfless way and in exemplary fashion gave us the blue print to success.

It is interesting to me to think about John, the author of the gospel and the epistles, five books in total. The place of prominence John had, even among the twelve, is distinct. John was very likely a cousin of Jesus on his mother’s side (John 19:25), but he was one-hundred percent disciple!

John was so special to the Lord, not because of his blood relation (Matthew 12:46-50), but because of his determination to do the will of God. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus would later reflect on true friendship as being manifest in doing what He has said (John 15:14).

I want to discuss three points about John that stand out and prove his love and loyalty to the Lord. How the Apostle John could sing, “O, How I love Jesus,” and how you can too, and mean it!

1. John sat where others wouldn’t sit.

In John 13, we see “the disciple whom Jesus loved” leaning on Jesus’ bosom (v.23). While Peter was making promises and Judas was counting his money, the others were arguing about rank (Luke 22:24-30); yet John was reclined upon his Lord. John quietly sat with Jesus, content to be with Him. He took in these moments and likely didn’t realize the extreme significance of it all. While others were busy seeking their own-John just sat with Jesus.

2. John stood where others wouldn’t stand.

John stood at the foot of the cross of his Master. The other disciples were fled to Galilee to pick up their nets and reacquaint with their boats. In the hour of His passion, Jesus was forsaken by all of his male companionship, save John. John was there. Jesus gave John charge over His mother in a moment of revealed trust of the highest rank (John 19:27). Jesus was high and lifted up, and no doubt with his heart torn out of his chest, John stood with Jesus.

3. John saw things others wouldn’t see.

John went on laboring for the Lord. He labored in Samaria (Acts 8:14) and was a pillar in the Jerusalem congregation (Galatians 2:8). John experienced the joy of bringing people to faith in Christ. John experienced the joy of seeing his “children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). But John also experienced the work of the devil. As the faith was pressed upon by Judaism and Gnosticism, John worked through the onslaught to keep the faith pure and the people prospering.

John was faithful in every sense of the word throughout Jesus’ ministry, and again in his apostolic ministry, John was a part of that foundation upon which the Lord’s church was built (Ephesians 2:20) and exploded (Colossians 1:6, 23). But that faith led him to be exiled to the Island of Patmos by the Emperor Dometian. It was during this exile, some five decades at minimum after the ascension of Christ (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:11), that John saw something no others would see.

The faithful friend of Christ and servant of God would hear from his long-departed Lord. God revealed a vision to John and told him to write that which he saw (Revelation 1:11). John relates that he saw the Son of Man, the Christ, and in great detail reveals the power and majesty of the coronated King (Revelation 1:12-16). When John saw that, he fell at His feet as dead and the Lord touched John, commanding his faith and rebuking his fear (Revelation 1:17).

It had been fifty to sixty years since John had seen Jesus. It had been that long since he leaned back upon his chest at the supper. It had been a lifetime since they walked up the Mount of Olives and into the Garden of Gethsemane. It had been a lifetime since John had stood at the cross to watch his Savior die. A lifetime since he outran Peter to the empty grave (John 20:4). A lifetime without hearing His voice and feeling His touch.

What a joy this must have been for John. To pick up the pen of inspiration for the last time for all human history and relate the greatest story of victory this world has ever known, worked and willed by the very God of Heaven.

I am convinced that it was because John chose to sit with Jesus, and stand with Jesus, that after all those years, Jesus chose to pay him a visit. John was likely lonely in a place of banishment. His prison, an island of torture, far away from those he loved so much and labored so hard for. It was in this dark moment that Jesus made this appearance and gave this vision. This vision that would without doubt fuel the faithfulness of His friend and brother until he met his natural death.

You see, John saw a natural death after a supernatural vision. It was because of his unwavering loyalty. None of the other Apostles saw a natural death, but John, well used and stricken in years. He met his Lord in eternity having passed into eternity by natural means. This reminds me of a passage of scripture that I think applies to John in a special way. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 28:25). John’s fear of man never overrode his faith.

John could truly sing our beloved hymn, “O How I Love Jesus.” He reclined with the Lord and sat where others didn’t sit. He stood with the Lord, where others did not stand. And he eventually saw the Lord, and a vision, which no other man had seen.

May these truths compel us to sit where the Lord wants us to. We have opportunity daily to have an impact on the neglected and marginalized about us.

May we stand, as John did, through the pain and onslaught of life and the devil. Knowing that we are standing with Jesus (Matthew 28:20). May we see, by faith, the beauty and majesty of our King- to one day join the “apostle of love” in seeing what most will never see. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

If we at the Eastside Church of Christ can assist you in knowing God, we would love the opportunity to serve you.

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