Be Strong Courageous As Disciples: Meet John: Living Loved

For Your Heart Today

What if the foundation of courageous discipleship isn't how much we love Jesus, but how deeply we know that Jesus loves us?

John's life shows what can happen when we learn to live from that truth. The disciple we remember as the "Apostle of Love" didn't begin there. He was passionate, impulsive, and ambitious. But John stayed close to Jesus, and over time, that closeness changed him.

John described himself simply as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Not because Jesus loved him more than anyone else, but because being loved by Jesus had become the deepest truth about who he was. He didn't have to earn it or prove himself worthy of it. He could simply receive it.

The same is true for us. As we stay close to Jesus and learn to live secure in His love, His love shapes the way we follow, forgive, serve, and love others.

This week, rest in this truth: You are loved by Jesus. Live from that love. 

Takeaways

- Jesus calls ordinary, unfinished people. John was passionate, impulsive, ambitious, and still learning when Jesus said, "Follow Me." Discipleship is lifelong formation. 

- Staying close to Jesus changes us. John moved from "Son of Thunder" to "Apostle of Love" as Jesus redirected his passion and formed him over time. 

- We live from Jesus' love, not for His love. Our deepest identity is not found in what we accomplish for Jesus, but in knowing that we are already loved by Him. 

- Being loved forms courageous disciples. Secure in Jesus' love, we are able to follow, forgive, serve, love, and go wherever He sends us.

Breath Prayer

Inhale: Jesus, I am loved by You.

Exhale: Let me live from Your love.