“The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In 2022 a popular trend called “That’s Not My Name” emerged on the social media platform TikTok. Celebrities used this as a fun way to say that their name is not the character they once played. Drew Barrymore is not Gertie. Jennifer Aniston is not Rachel. And Christian Bale is not Batman.

We all know that names carry a lot of weight. Celebs Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott changed the name of their son Wolf a month after he was born, saying, “That’s no longer his name.” I think he’ll take issue with that when he grows up. Who wouldn’t want to walk into a conference room one day and say, “Wolf has arrived!”

The right name can define you.

The Reverend Michael King knew that. On a trip to Germany in 1934, he became captivated by the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther. His willingness to go against the religious norm motivated him enough he changed his own name and then his son’s name. You’ve probably heard of his son, Martin Luther King, Jr, another man who would go against the religious establishment of his day. The name did more than describe; it defined.

Sometimes the nickname can define you as well.

Some are good.
Champ. Winner. Ms. Get it done. Mr. Organized.

Some are not.
Thrice divorced. Drama queen. Can’t keep a job. Addict.

These names do more than describe. They define.

What names define you? Or better yet, what nicknames define you?

Would you ever think of yourself as “the one Jesus loved?”

The apostle John did.

As John is giving us the details of the Last Supper, he lets us know that “the disciple Jesus loved” was sitting next to him.

When Jesus is breathing his last on the cross, John lets us know Jesus said to him, “the disciple he loved,” take care of my mom.

After Mary Magdalene tells the disciples about the empty tomb, Peter and the other disciple, “the one Jesus loved,” takes off running for the tomb.

And then John drops the mic when he says, “This disciple… is the one who testifies to these events.” In other words… I am the one Jesus loved.

Sounds strange. Almost braggadocious. John, get over yourself. He loves everyone.

But all of us define ourselves by how others perceive us.

You can’t pay your bills and lose the house… you are not the one who was swindled by your partners and caught a bad break… the bank says you are the one who is in foreclosure.

Your spouse walks out on you… you are not the one who tried everything to make it work, but they weren’t willing… you are the one who is divorced.

Maybe you are “the mom who is always late.” Or “the deadbeat dad.” Or “the girl who never measured up to her sister.”

We define ourselves by how others perceive us.

So does John. And he says, “I am the one Jesus loved.”

Here’s something I find stunning. John doesn’t write his Gospel after the last supper when he reclined near Jesus. Nor does he write this after the resurrection, and all was right in the world. John writes this after being persecuted for his ministry for years. He writes this after years of seeing his church struggle to survive. And when he sits down to write his letters to other believers, he says… I still see myself as one loved by Jesus.

Most of us define God by what he’s done for us. When things are good, then God is good, but when things are bad, then we must have been bad. I am the one God is disappointed in. I’m the one God is annoyed by. I’m the one God has put in time out. I’m the one God has forgotten. And John would tell you… I know someone different.

My identity is not defined by what Jesus has done for me lately.

I am the one Jesus loves. And so are you.

Today’s Prayer:
“Jesus, help me to see that regardless of my circumstances, I am still loved by you.”