John 13:23 English Standard Version (ESV) One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side,^[a]

Footnote ^[a] Greek in the bosom of Jesus

My sister-in law adopted a kitten, the runt of the liter. She kept the kitten in her room and isolated from the rest of us. It is after all her cat. She loves in and it loves her more than anyone.

From time to time she has to attend to family business and leaves us to take care of the cat. The cat comes to me and lays her head on my thigh and rests. She doesn’t go to my wife.

Does that mean I love the cat more than my wife? It is the cat’s choice to do so, not mine.

This is probably John expressing his feelings, that the Lord loves him. He is wont to admit it is John himself that reclines on Jesus. I get it, but what it does not say is that Jesus preferred John over any other disciple.

Whenever we think that someone we love pays attention to someone else, it tends to make us feel at least a little insecure. It shouldn’t but if we admit we are human, it does feed our insecurities.

Acts 10:34 English Standard Version (ESV) So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,

We can appreciate that it is Peter that is the only disciple to express this issue. Jesus called out Peter specifically to be “the little rock” upon which He would build His church. Does that mean Jesus preferred Peter? Not according to Peter.

When we look to scripture we find Peter, James and John are often named at some iconic moments, like the Mount of Transfiguration. Does that mean Jesus preferred them over the other disciples? According to Peter, no.

Peter was the only disciple to make that comment.

How does it make us feel when we see someone else has a closer relationship with Jesus than we do?

Insecure?