The third and fourth references of John being " The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" comes at the end of the book. Chapter 21 contains both references. The first in that chapter says that the " disciple whom Jesus Loved" cried out " it is the Lord" ( Paraphrase). The interesting thing is that all of the disciples saw him on the shore, yet " no one recognized him." Now, I have heard it said that we will have new bodies when we get to heaven. So, i don't know if they didn't recognize him because he looked differnet than what they remembered, or he as too far away for them to see, but John is the only one who knows him intimately enough not only to recognize him, but be confident enough to call out " It is the Lord!" I interpret this to mean that intimate relationship was such that John had no problem identifying him.
The last reference is after Peter is " reinstated" ( or at least what the publishers of my Bible decided to call it). Peter answers Jesus's call to " Follow Me!" and Peter turns around and sees " the disciple whom Jesus loved following them." While Peter is too busy looking around at the outward things of life (ie. John's escape from martyrdom) , John is already following. He didn't need an extended invitation. He was already there! Whether or not he responded immediately to Jesus's call to Peter or already got up and followed him before the call, I'm not sure. But, the result is the same: John dropped everything and followed his Lord.
Do you know Jesus intimately enough to recognize him and call him your Lord?
Are you willing to drop everything and follow Him?
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