The Other Disciple

"So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. " - John 20:3-9

Since about 200 AD, there's been a mystery as to who John is referring to when he mentions "the other disciple", or the "other disciple whom Jesus loved". This disciple is present at (among other things) the Last Supper, Jesus's crucifixion, and was given explicit instructions by Jesus to take care of his mother. And in the style that John writes, it's very possible that his account is taken from one of the twelve that wishes to remain anonymous - either to maintain his safety or that of his family's. John chooses not to ignore his presence, but rather refer to him as "one Jesus loved".

Instead of thinking of it as an anonymous person (or trying to piece together who it might be using clues within John), consider a moment that it's you. That John is writing as if you - the one Jesus loved - was there at each of these crucial moments. You beat Peter after racing to the tomb. You let Peter go in first, because you were scared of what you might see (or who might be there). You saw the empty tomb and inspected the burial cloths that were neatly rolled up. And it was you that, after Peter, came to believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

It suddenly makes this passage feel a little closer to heart, "that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name." (the last verse of John 20).