Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Christ and John


In the New Testament it is told that Jesus had a favourite disciple, which was particularly near to his heart - and this disciple was John. It is told that John rested at the heart of Jesus. Later John is found as the only of his 12 disciples under the cross. When Jesus was dying, he gave his mother to his care.

John is resting at the heart of Jesus in a gesture of complete surrender, dependency, listening and one-pointedness - the inner attitude of each earnest disciple. Jesus touches him on the arm - a guesture of compassion - and with the other hand expresses his blessing and teaching.