The Beloved Disciple

Today's Reflections 

      

The Beloved Disciple

Jn 21:20-25

²⁰Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” ²¹When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” ²²Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” ²³So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? [What concern is it of yours?]”

²⁴It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. ²⁵There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

LORD, WHAT ABOUT HIM? Peter asks what will happen to the Beloved Disciple. Peter has been warned of his suffering. Will John experience the same fate? Jesus replies by telling Peter to focus on his own discipleship.

In John’s community, it was perhaps believed that Jesus would soon return and find the Beloved Disciple still alive. But by the time the gospel was written, the Beloved Disciple must have already died. And so the evangelist clarifies: Jesus did not say that the disciple would not die.

The Gospel concludes with the author’s declaration that there are many other things that Jesus did that are not included in the book, an echo of the first ending (cf Jn 20:30-31). But what is written is enough to solicit faith that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the end result of this faith is eternal life.

Hence, John’s gospel is not strictly a biography of Jesus, but a proclamation of faith in him intended to awaken faith in other people. It is a record of testimonies of those who came to know Jesus. Above all this, it is the witness of the Beloved Disciple.

Jesus continues to speak

and be present to us through the gospels.

Let us believe the gospels

and make them our guide to eternal life.