Listening to the Savior's Heartbeat

“There was reclining on Jesus' breast one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” 

(John 13:23 NASB)

The disciple John, a young fisherman from Judea, made a life-changing decision when he decided to follow Jesus. He partnered with his brother James in this endeavor – forsaking his past, to strike out upon a new path – a path of trust, a journey of love, a discovery of redemption, peace and forgiveness. His young heart was eager and teachable, his spirit open to God, his heart willing to grow and serve.

As his journey progressed as a follower of the Rabbi, he listened, he questioned, he learned, he prepared and he remained faithful to the calling he had received from his Messiah.

John was known as the “Evangelist” and appropriately so as his life exhibited a commitment to learning, compassion for others and an intimacy with his Savior. He heard his Savior's heartbeat. He reclined at table with him during the Last Supper, and he never forgot the lessons he learned. He received free evangelism training from the Master Teacher Himself and then in turn shared that training with others through example and writings. His teachable heart became a leader's heart.

Now, two centuries later, we have his letters and writings, life-breathed from the Master Teacher to an eager young student-- “the one whom Jesus loved.” Inspired of God, the Gospel of John is alive with the story of God's redemptive work through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Today, these writings have the power to lead new believers down the same dusty roads that John and Jesus traveled together, experiencing life together, and spreading the good news through evangelism.

“If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31b-32 NASB)

Since 1893, The Pocket Testament League has been sharing John's Gospel and New Testaments to those in need thus spreading the good news to a hurting world. Helen Cadbury, it's founder said: “If only we could get people to read the Book for themselves it will surely lead them to Christ.”

Her vision lives on today through the vast outreach of The Pocket Testament League which inspires believers to listen to their Savior's heartbeat, to abide in His word, and to share that Word with passion and authenticity. The League equips believers with countless evangelism tools and educational materials to support this goal such as pocket versions of the Gospel of John, children's resources, training programs, daily devotionals, Bible studies, and website banners. All meant to equip Christ followers with the power of Jesus' word to heal, to encourage, to strengthen and to lead a hurting world into the saving grace of God's redemption plan.

From a Savior's heartbeat . . . to John's heart . . . to yours.  

The Heartbeat of a Savior

"There was reclining on Jesus' breast one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved." (John 13:23, NASB)

Life right now has been overly challenging for our family. Many stresses and obstacles have obstructed our paths and even threatened our vision, our focus as well.

As I reflected today on these challenges, God brought to my mind the image of the apostle John reclining on Jesus' breast during the Last Supper. Several years ago, I read some teachings on this short little verse that opened my eyes to a great many truths. And, thankfully those truths refreshed me and gave me courage once more.

First of all - a few words about John. He refers to himself as "Beloved" or "the one whom Jesus loved." Strong words indeed to indicate a very close, intimate relationship - none of the other apostles are referred to with such tenderness. He wasn't afraid to admit his closeness with His Lord, His Savior.

We are told that he was probably the youngest of Jesus' disciples and he lived the longest of all - dying on Patmos after God granted him the visionary book of Revelation. Just imagine--

* a young boy who witnessed first-hand the life, miracles, and death of the Son of God

* a young man whom Jesus gave over the care for his earthly mother Mary,

* an older man who wrote, under the power of the Holy Spirit, the most readable, yet profound gospel in the New Testament

* and, finally, an elderly man whose lasting legacy is the most complex of all Biblical texts--Revelation.

What shaped this apostle's life into the powerful man of God we know today? What made the difference in his life? Mark 3:13 reads, "And He went up to the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him." The twelve were chosen, each one for a reason and because Jesus Himself wanted them. However, I still find it fascinating that we don't have a book of Andrew or Philip or Bartholomew or Thomas; not Thaddaeus or Simon either. And, certainly not Judas - though his purpose was just as deliberate as the rest. While He chose them all, only a select few developed as leaders within the early Church.

I would like to think that John thrived and His ministry and legacy grew out of his intimate relationship with Jesus. He leaned backed upon Jesus' breast and listened to His heartbeat. That simple image always stops me in my tracks--Is that where I am right now? Listening to, leaning upon, learning from a God who actually wants me as a friend.

While Jesus is not with us in bodily form today, His Spirit lives in the hearts of every believer. And, the words of His mouth and the meditations of His heart lie within the pages of the Spirit-breathed Scriptures He left to us. As such, I can still hear His heartbeat--it's a privilege He has bestowed, an honor He gives me to be His child and rest in His heart.

Most importantly, to deny those precious gifts He lavished upon us (the gift of friendship & love, the gift of His word, indeed His very heart) is to deny Him.

Are you taking time to listen to His heartbeat today?

SPECIAL NOTE: The two images I've included are scans of two Catholic holy cards from my collection. As you can imagine, this particular theme is of particular interest to me and I have several cards depicting the scene from the Last Supper. The first card is written in French--(loose translation is "Lord, you are sweet nourishment for the soul and the one from whom we receive dignity and will have a part of the heritage of His eternal glory."). The second card reads: "It is there, alone with Jesus Christ that the soul tastes the full sweetness of the Holy Eucharist (P. de Ravignon)." While the word "Eucharist" is the term for Communion or The Lord's Supper in the Catholic tradition, I only just learned that the word "Eucharist" is a Greek word meaning "thanksgiving."