One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
John 13:23
As I reminisce about my childhood, I am reminded of that warm comforting feeling I got every time I leaned on my mother’s chest. I would listen to her heartbeat, and something about that steady LUBB and DUB sound made me feel completely at ease. No matter what else might have been going on, in that moment of leaning I experienced love, protection, serenity, and certainty. As our world continues to spin faster and faster with distressing headlines and protests and riots and hardships, I have found myself longing for that deep sense of certainty and maybe you have too. But who will you lean on when everyone is in the same boat?
The writer of the gospel of John (13:12-26), provides an answer when he portrays an intimate dinner between Jesus and his disciples. In this thirteenth chapter, John depicts a typical banquet in first-century Israel. The tables back then were about knee high and the disciples were reclining on mats around the table. Then he states, “One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John), was reclining (leaning) next to him (John 13:23).” This intimacy between Jesus and John is helpful for us today. It is what many of us long for in an insecure, anxious, and uncertain world. It is what you desire as you navigate the landmines and the unknowns in your world.
We may not be able to touch Jesus, and sometimes we may not even be able to feel his Presence, but we can trust him to attend to all the issues that concern us because he promised to do so (Isaiah 43: 1b-4). As Elisha Hoffman and Anthony Showalter remind us in their song, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (1887):
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Yes, Jesus is always near and we can lean on him just as John did because he is our refuge and strength. That warm comforting feeling can be ours today. His word reminds us: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).” Again, he says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What a blessing it is to be called children of God; what a blessing to know that we are loved by him, and thus we can experience his Perfect Peace no matter what our circumstances might be. Will you cast your cares upon him and lean on him today?
Loving God, you are my shield, my strength, my portion, my shelter, my strong tower, and my deliverer. I will not be shaken. Today, I cast my cares upon you and lean on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.