Page 155 - laten-08-06-2020

Jesus took Peter for a gentle walk along the lakeshore for
they both wanted to have a private conversation. It is seen
that the Beloved Disciple also detached himself from others
and followed Jesus and Peter. Peter after receiving his fresh
commission from Jesus turns around and sees the Beloved
Disciple and asked Jesus, what shall this man do? (John 21:21).
Or, what will happen to him? May be he would have thought
this disciple whom Jesus loves will have some special ministry.
Something high must surely be reserved for this special person.
Some special martyrdom may even be in store for this Beloved
Disciple. Peter to told that his business is to follow Jesus and be
faithful to his own commission. Jesus has his own plans for the
Beloved Disciple, it is not necessary for peter to know what will
happen to the Beloved Disciple. He may have to suffer a martyr’s
death or he may on the other hand live until the second coming
of Jesus.

The Beloved Disciple is often portrayed as being superior
to other characters in John. His special affinity towards Jesus is
emphasized in several ways. He is introduced to the audience
as ‘one of his disciples...whom Jesus loved’ (John 13:23), and
this is the only designation given to him in the entire narrative
(John 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). The designation is not, however,
necessarily a traditionally fixed expression for a well-known
figure. Nevertheless, this designation makes the Beloved Disciple
a distinguished follower of Jesus in the Johannine narrative.
This similar designation is not used in the gospel of John for
any other disciple.

In John 21:1–14, the Beloved Disciple is portrayed
as the one who recognizes the risen Jesus before the other
disciples do (John 21:7). However, it remains unclear whether
this recognition really implies his better understanding of, or
superior faith in, Jesus. The narrator does not pay any specific
attention to this issue. The claim that the Beloved Disciple wrote
the Gospel of John is made at the conclusion (John 21:24–25).
This claim is closely related to his portrayal as an eyewitness to
Jesus. The reliability of his testimony is emphasized in the same

149
Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People