Does God Have Favorites?

December 27, 2011 by Robert Crosby

Continued from Page 1

A.W. Tozer has written, "We are as close to God as we choose to be." John exemplified this as he dared to do what others would not. While other disciples sat around the table at the Last Supper, John dared to lean his back against the Savior's. He came close to Jesus. When everyone else fled the impending scene of Calvary's cross, John dared to journey down the Via Dolorosa to the bleeding side of his Lord. While the others were worried about their own skin, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" dared to care for his mother Mary ("John, behold your mother").

What man could ever have a friend who would follow so closely, so completely, in the hour of blessing and the hour of devastation and not recognize how highly favored that friendship was? If requirement had been on John's mind that day, then the sight of a Savior bloodied and humiliated would have turned John away. If reciprocity was the goal, tit for tat, the risk would be far too high and the benefit to John much too precarious; but if undying loyalty and the emotional replenishment of a friend who sticks closer than a brother were the motives, than the picture suddenly makes sense.

Was Jesus' friendship with John the one most highly prized and favored? Did John share a place of privilege? I would think so. And I can see why.

(Adapted from More Than A Savior by Robert Crosby; Random House/Multnomah)

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About Robert Crosby

Robert Crosby is an author and Professor of Practical Theology at Southeastern University. Read his interview with Bobby Gruenewald, the Founder of YouVersion.com (the Bible App) and related articles at Christianity Today, The New Engagers and The Social Network Gospel. Robert Crosby is the author of the new book, The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration (Abingdon Press).

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