I've never been comfortable with John's self designation as the "Disciple whom Jesus loved." As a child, my Sunday School teachers told me John was a humble man and used that designation to avoid using his name. They thought it was his way to avoid "name dropping." I didn't buy it. Oh, I knew better than to argue with them, but I didn't buy it. Though it isn't exactly what he said, to a child, the phrase smacked of "He loved me more than you."

Was John saying that Jesus loved him more than the others? Remember, it was his mother who asked Jesus if her boys could have a place of honor in the Kingdom (Matt. 20:20). Do you think John was being competitive?

Not me.

As a part of the "inner circle" John had a special relationship with Jesus. But I don't think that explains the designation either. Then what does?

He was there.

The hymn writer described it like this, "Oh the love that drew salvation's plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary."

John was the only disciple at Calvary. If hearing about the cross inspired the poet to relish Jesus' love, wouldn't being there make an even greater impact?

Could it be that Jesus' love so defined his life that no other words were needed to describe who he was?