Standing In The Evil Day

Christ’s disciples abandoned Him. At the height of His need they ran for the hills. They left Him alone. They turned their backs. They walked away. All except one. John. He was there in the courtyard to hear the false witnesses. (John 18:15) He was at the foot of the cross to receive Christ’s mother to care for at our Lord’s request. (John 19:26-27) He saw the Savior bleed. Selah. (Pause to reflect) So how was John able to remain with Jesus during His darkest hour while the others could/would not? Do you know the answer? Think about it. There was something different about John. (Yes, there was.) Oh sure, he was one of the Twelve called as a disciple. He also blew it from time to time like the rest of them ~ even once thought about torching a city in the name of Jesus. (Luke 9:54) Yet the one difference that set John apart from the others was this: John was the closest. (Did you figure it out?) John was the closest to Christ (known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”). (John 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20) He was so close that Jesus shared intimate details that no one else could be trusted with. (The betrayer was made known to John. Can you imagine if Peter knew? He had the sword after all.) (John 13:21-26) It was this very intimacy with our Lord that was the strength of John. (Read that last sentence a second time.) And if we would stand in the evil day, we must have the same intimacy. Get closer. Who needs to hear it?