Five times in his Gospel John refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Yet Jesus loved all His disciples-"Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end" (ch. 13:1). But after this statement we read, "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples whom Jesus loved" (ver. 23). Evidently there must have been some characteristic about John which drew out that "double portion" of our Lord's tender love to His own.

Many have searched the apostle's record to ascertain the cause of this peculiar privilege; but do we not find it right here in our verse? Is it not that John broke through all formality, overstepping the bonds of strict decorum, to assume such intimacy with his Lord and Master? There is no record of the other disciples doing what John did; but he, by his very familiarity, drew out from that exhaustless Fountain of love what his soul craved.

And may we not say that John becomes by that very act a typical disciple for all who will follow his devotion? We may all be disciples whom Jesus loves-in that fulness experienced by John. Peter wrote, "Whom having not seen, ye love;" but is our love demonstrative like John's? Are we found, as in verse 25, "lying on Jesus' breast" by faith? Do we care to be drawn so near to Him? If we do, the place which John chose, with his portion of that infinite Love, will be ours with all that it means. And what a place of peaceful rest that is!

"Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found."

And love's power is found there-and there alone:the power to love one another, even as John taught in his first epistle; he understood, experimentally, what love meant. Love's power too gave him boldness to stand at the cross amid that blood-thirsty crowd. We not read of the other disciples "standing by," though doubtless John was in as much danger as they (ch. 19:26).

That place of nearness to his Lord gave John the acute-ness to discern His hand in "the multitude of fishes" (ch. 21:6, 7). How quickly he said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" But why was it that Jesus selected John to remain as a witness for Him in that closing prophecy of the Scriptures? I think we have the answer in chapter 21:20-24-"the disciple whom Jesus loved.. .which also leaned on His breast at supper," was so close to that Heart of love that he could hear His voice, as it were, echoing down through the centuries.

" 'Leaning on Jesus' bosom!'-this is the place of rest,
When the trials of life surround us, and the heart is sore
oppressed;
When the soul is sad and weary, and longing for break
of day-
When doubts and fears and failings forever will flee away!

'Leaning on Jesus' bosom!'-this is the place of peace,
Where trouble cannot reach us, and sorrows all must cease.
'Leaning on Jesus' bosom!' I have no care or fear-
No danger there can threaten me, no evil venture here.

'Leaning on Jesus' bosom!' O Christian, this is your
place,-
The ONLY place of resting amid life's weary race!
Here there is naught but sorrow, sickness, and want, and
care;
But sorrow will fade into gladness in the glory over there.

'Leaning on Jesus bosom!'His arms will encircle you
round;
Listening His gentle whispers, you'll hear no earth-born
sound;
But you'll rest in the light of His beauty, like the ransomed
glorified,
And the smiles of His love will thrill you ere you reach
the other side."

Herbert Cowell