After answering please provide your explanation for why you believe that Jesus loved [name of apostle] the most.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Who is the apostle Jesus loved the most?
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He is speaking of himself not someone else.Its his gospel and when he says it he means himself.
Traditionally, this "disciple whom Jesus loved" is understood to be John the Apostle, who is also believed to be the author of the Gospel of John and other Johannes writings.
While the traditional interpretation is common, some scholars suggest that the "disciple whom Jesus loved" might be an idealized or anonymous figure, rather than a specific person
Some theologians suggest that John uses this phrase to emphasize his close relationship with Jesus and to avoid confusion with John the Baptist, who is also mentioned in the Gospel
He doesn't say the disciple Jesus loved the most he refers to himself as the disciple Jesus loved.
Traditionally, this "disciple whom Jesus loved" is understood to be John the Apostle, who is also believed to be the author of the Gospel of John and other Johannes writings.
While the traditional interpretation is common, some scholars suggest that the "disciple whom Jesus loved" might be an idealized or anonymous figure, rather than a specific person
Some theologians suggest that John uses this phrase to emphasize his close relationship with Jesus and to avoid confusion with John the Baptist, who is also mentioned in the Gospel
He doesn't say the disciple Jesus loved the most he refers to himself as the disciple Jesus loved.
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I'm not talking about "the disciple whom Jesus loved", but rather the apostle that Jesus loved the most. Which apostle do you believe Jesus loved the most?
Well, here's the answer dictated by Jesus to His spokesman Maria Valtorta on May 16th, 1947:
"And who is the apostle I loved most? It is Judas Iscariot. Do not stare in disbelief or give a start. It's true. I loved Judas Iscariot more than anyone else. And now I'll explain to you and you'll understand.
John was the beloved one. Everyone knows. And everyone knows the truth. He was good, pure, and faithful. It is obvious that he attracted the love of God and the love of the Man that is, the love of Jesus the God-Man.
But tell me: is it more wearisome to perform an action demanding continuous effort which we know beforehand will be futile or to perform another which, instead of effort, involves joy and repose in carrying it out? The former, isn't it? And who will have more merit? The one carrying out the former or the latter? In the former case, where the sole purpose is to do one's full duty with no hope of receiving compensation, or in the latter, where minute by minute we are amply repaid for what we are doing? Whoever carries out the former act will have more merit.
And, to continue, do you know what kind of love people have who, out of the heroism of love alone and duty towards God and their brothers and sisters, go on showing interest and concern in bringing their wicked brothers and sisters benefit and trying to make them good and glorify the Lord? They have perfect love. The love which carries out everything and forgives everything, overcoming all, moved by the perfect end of doing the work which is pleasing to God. Do they not succeed? Is it clear that they do not succeed? Is it clear that God knows they do not succeed? It doesn't matter. They act, all the same. It is the heroism of duty done to perfection. And it also shows perfection in sentiment. For if people did not love in God those who they know are delinquents, traitors, and incorrigible in their perverse sentiments, they could not love such delinquents. But they love them with the sublime love which swelled my Heart on the Cross when I was not praying for the just, but calling for the Father's forgiveness of those who were my killers.
This is the love I want in you for all those who hate you.... If only you knew how this love we give to those who are our unbending enemies—the unconvertible—works miracles! Directly, in terms of themselves, as was the love of Stephen for Saul, a love which obtained for the latter an encounter with Me on the road to Damascus, or indirectly.
Love is not lost. Not even an infinitesimal part of love, of this coin, of this yeast, of this balm which is love, remains with out fruit. Gathered in by the angels, noted by God, it rises into the treasury of Heaven and there serves—oh, mysterious operations by God!—to acquire, bring growth to, and treat souls slaves of Satan, immobile souls in their newly-fashioned justice, wounded and sick souls. The love given for the conversion of our crucifiers and remaining without fruit for them on account of their perverse will, goes on to fecundate other souls for grace who are unknown on earth, but will be known in Heaven.
Listen further, getting back to Judas. I said, "Whoever loves much will be forgiven much." It is true, and it is just. The more people love, the more they deserve forgiveness by those offended. But, in addition, those who forgive more show they love much. And those who forgive all at all times—at all times everything, until the hour of judgment comes—love, not much, but totally. That is the way I loved Judas Iscariot. Totally. I also loved the others that way, especially John. But it was a matter of justice to love them like that. They were good, even in their defects, and they love Me with all their strength. Were they small, imperfect? Were they so until the end, until the Holy Spirit renewed them? It doesn't matter. It was all their strength. But Judas! But Judas! To love Judas! To love Judas completely, when I was aware of every wrinkle in his tenebrous heart! To love him because we are told, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself"!
You see, soul of mine, many repeat this command, from pulpits, teaching chairs, altars, and confessionals ... and believe they are fully familiar with it, for they say, 'The second commandment is to love one's neighbor as oneself." But few-few spiritual teachers in relation to the many spiritually ignorant bring people to consider something essential to the commandment of love. And it is this. The statement 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself is made without specifying whether the neighbor is good, evil, submissive or unruly, loving or hateful. No, "You shall love your neighbor' is affirmed. Entirely. Good or evil. With joyful or painful love. But always your neighbor as a whole.
This love for the entirety of one's neighbor demands a spirit of highly perfected mercy, meekness, and humility. For it is hard—hard, indeed—to be able to love certain neighbors! One must be very, very well grounded in charity to be able to do so. But here, too, you do not lack a model. Here is your model: I am, Jesus! Imitate Me, and you will be perfect as I want you to be for your eternal joy.
The horrendous, shadowy figure of Judas that I have so amply displayed in the Work is not without a purpose. I certainly did not take pleasure in describing that tangle of hellish snakes! But I revealed it to you because, in doing so, I also revealed the way spiritual teachers and all Christians as well must act to wards the many Judases peopling the earth, whom none can fail to encounter during their mortal day.
To spiritual teachers and all others I say, 'Imitate Me in this perfect love, and you will possess a love like that of Jesus, your Teacher.” (The Notebooks: 1945-1950, pp. 394-397)
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Rockerduck
Well-Known Member
Jesus didn't play favorites although the top 3 were Peter, James, and John. Jesus used them as a witness. He told all the apostles to love each other, and this love will show that they belong to Jesus. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
I disagree with any book outside of the bible, because the bible is the final word.
I disagree with any book outside of the bible, because the bible is the final word.
I, nor Jesus, said that Judas Iscariot was His favorite, but rather that He loved him the most, and I quoted His explanation, but you said the following:
"I disagree with any book outside of the bible, because the bible is the final word."
God is the final word and He speaks whenever, wherever, to whomever and about whatever He wills. That's why one shouldn't confine Him to the pages of any one book, and though some try, it's to no avail.
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Rockerduck
Well-Known Member
The Holy Spirit speaks to me and Jesus speaks to me. So, you are right. But the Holy Spirit said for me to read the words of Jesus. Every word Jesus tells me, or the Holy Spirit tells me agrees with scripture. No additions, or takeaways.
If you agree that God is the final word not a book, and that He speaks whenever, wherever, to whomever and about whatever He wills, and that what He says doesn't contradict His words that we read in Scripture, then read the quote in post #6. It's believed to be the words of Jesus dictated to Maria Valtorta on May 16th, 1947. If you think it disagrees with Scripture, then show how.
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The love from a perfect, infinite being has no degrees. He loves all, impersonally and personally.
Lambano
Well-Known Member
Probably Judas-Thaddeus-Lebbeus was REALLY Jesus's favorite. He has one speaking line in the whole Bible, and he probably had to change his name (twice) because Judas Iscariot ruined it for every Jewish male with that name until Kingdom Come. St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. Hey, Jude!
Lambano
Well-Known Member
How about Iakob ben Zebedee, the first apostle to be martyred, and whose real name has been lost to the English speaking world? Jesus must've loved him.
I think you mean a Translation, right? The reason you don't read more commentaries and other biblical books is because you are lazy,
if you ask me. And, you think you will have to read a lot more and someone might challenge your precious beliefs, whether they are biblical or not. You do not have the spiritual gift of teaching. You, like all of us, need to be taught the Scriptures.
Lambano
Well-Known Member
Lambano
Well-Known Member
It's a discussion forum; I'm discussing. In post #1, you asked my opinion; I gave it. If the late Ms. Valtorta wants to express her opinion, she needs to sign up with a user ID just like everyone else.
Rockerduck
Well-Known Member
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