Sunday Devotional
We Love Him or We Love Him Not
John 14:15-24
Pastor Wes
Join our Facebook page to keep in touch.
As we continue our study through the final teachings of Jesus before His crucifixion, I want to remind ourselves of the way John set the stage for these conversations and teachings we are looking at. Back in chapter 13, verse 1, he states “Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” It’s almost as if John says, “everything I tell you from this point forward, is meant to show you just how deeply Jesus loved His disciples all the way to His dying breath.” And from there we see Jesus taking the form of a loving servant, washing each of the disciples’ feet- even the feet of Judas Iscariot who Jesus knew would betray Him. It’s in this tender, loving, atmosphere that Jesus is having these conversations we’re looking at.
As we look at today’s passage, realize His words are coming from the place of Him first loving us. John would later go on to state this fact even more clearly in 1 John 4:19 “We love, because He first loved us.” Now having in mind His love being the beginning, being the foundation of this passage, I want us to now consider the framework built on that foundation, the “book ends” of our passage this morning- verse 15 and verse 24…
These 2 verses block in for us the heartbeat of this passage. The thrust of this passage deals with our response to His love. Will we, or will we not, love Him in return? How heart breaking is a love that is not reciprocated. In this moment Jesus has already, still is, and will continue in the following hours- to demonstrate an incredible love for His disciples, and now He is having a bit of a “define the relationship” talk with them on how to reciprocate His love. He isn’t picking apart a daisy in order to determine others level of love for Him. He defines that there is a specific way to demonstrate and reciprocate His love. He also defines that there are certain benefits to be enjoyed through a reciprocating love relationship with Him. And throughout the passage, He contrasts the differences between those in this mutual love relationship with Him, and then those of the world who are not in this mutual love relationship with Him.
Now just to be clear, before we get into the meat of this passage, I want to remind us all that there does exist a “John 3:16” type of love that God/Jesus has for the whole entire world- John 3:16 stating “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Yes, God loves the world with an incredible love, not wanting anyone to perish- but the type of love we are talking about in today’s passage is a higher level of love that is only experienced in a mutual, monogamous, reciprocating love relationship between Jesus and His followers.
Your response to Jesus’ love should be love. And if you love Him, again as Jesus says in verse 15, you will keep His commandments. We’ll talk a little more about His commandments in a little bit, but for right now let’s keep the thought process moving. Jesus loves us, and if we love Him back we will keep His commandments. If we love Him and keep His commandments then He says, verse 16-17…
It’s interesting the parallel we have, if we consider our passage from last week. Jesus had said in verse 14 “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” We ask, and He does. But now the relationship is described as- we do (His commandments) and He then asks.” This is a dynamic relationship we have with Jesus- we ask and He does, we do and He asks. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. If we keep His commandments He will ask the Father to send us a Helper- the Spirit of truth- the Holy Spirit that will help us in keeping His commands. Note Jesus specifically mentions that others (the world who does not love Him and keep His words)- they cannot receive the Helper. But for those who love Him, who keep His commandments- not only will they have help, but, verse 18…
Now perhaps Jesus is saying “I won’t leave you behind as in how some children are left behind as orphans.” But perhaps it’s better to understand Him as saying “I won’t leave you long as orphans in this orphaned state.” Maybe Jesus was saying “Yes, you are orphans, you will live for a time feeling abandoned, but I won’t leave you in that state. I will return to collect you as my rightful children.” Verse 19-20…
Surely Jesus is referring to His death, and then resurrection, but I believe He is also pointing to the reality His followers would experience after His resurrection and ascension into Heaven. His physical presence would be absent from the world, but His followers would still see Him alive and working spiritually- and would also see him again physically, face to face upon their deaths as they entered into eternal life.
So, because He first loved us, we have the opportunity to love Him back. If we love Him we will keep His commandments. If we keep His commandments, then He will pray for us and give us a Helper, the Holy Spirit of truth that will abide with us forever. (On a side note, if we still mess things up with the Holy Spirit Helper, it’s a little easier to understand the messed-up-ness of those in the world who don’t have the Spirit Helper.) In this love relationship with Jesus, not only do we have help to do the right things, but we are also promised that we won’t be left in a state of alone-ness. We will see glimpses of Him working, we will be able to truly live while on this earth, and when we die we will then live life on a whole other level- us in Him, Him in us. Just in case we have forgotten the prerequisite to these benefits, Jesus re-emphasizes in verse 21…
Jesus is upping the level of intimacy here. He loves us first, then we respond by loving Him and keeping His commandments, and He counters with these amazing benefits, and then says God the Father will love on us and Jesus will love on us more and reveal more of who He is to those of us who are engaged at this level of love relationship with Him. At least one of the disciples’ minds is being blown right now, and that disciple is wondering what happened to the whole, just universal, general, “John 3:16 love” for all the world. He, Judas, (not Judas Iscariot that betrays Jesus, but the other Judas) speaks up in verse 22…
Perhaps He’s thinking- isn’t the Messiah supposed to be King of the World? Maybe He’s saying to Jesus “You talk as if we disciples alone can see, understand, and be in this intimate relationship with our Creator God- surely others can be a part of this, right?” And notice how Jesus responds in verse 23: “If anyone loves Me…” Anyone! All are welcome into this dynamic love relationship! But again, how is it that “anyone” is to reciprocate Jesus’ love? Again, verse 23…
The same close relationship, the same benefits, the same oneness offered to the disciples, is offered to anyone and everyone who would love Him and keep His commandments! Verse 24…
The one who doesn’t love Jesus, doesn’t keep His (aka- God the Father’s) commandments. And therefore, that person doesn’t receive the helper. And they will be left alone, orphaned in aloneness. And they will not live as He lives. And they will not experience Jesus being in the Father, and they being in Jesus, and Jesus in them. They will not experience a higher level of love from the Father and from Jesus, and they will not see more of who Jesus is.
Perhaps there is someone listening today whose heart has been pricked, and they feel they need to take a first step in reciprocating Jesus’ love and following His commandments. I believe a good place to start is in reciprocating that John 3:16 level of love I mentioned. What is the command, what is the intentional action one is urged to take in that verse? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Belief is that first step in a love relationship with Jesus. Belief that He was sent for the purpose of repairing mankind’s relationship with God. Belief that His words are truth. Belief that all of your sins- past, present, and future are eternally forgiven. Belief that He truly loves you. Belief that His resurrection to life proves His power over death and His ability to resurrect your life. That belief, is only the first step. Reading, understanding, loving, and applying Jesus’ commands contained in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John is a life-long journey. But as we put forth effort, and seek to grow in our love relationship with Jesus, He is true to His word: He provides help through His Spirit. He gives us more awareness to see His presence with us. He puts forth effort and shows more of Himself to us.
Or maybe there’s someone listening today that has taken that first step of reciprocating Jesus’ love through belief, but today has realized the level of intimacy Jesus is referring to in this passage is absent. If that’s you, I would encourage you to fall in love with Jesus. Pick one of the gospel books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John- and dedicate a little time each day to reading through that book. Begin by asking God to speak to you through what you are reading, to open up your eyes to things you have yet to see, and then as you read- pay special attention to all the commands of Jesus. Look for all the places where Jesus says to do, or not to do- give close attention to all the imperative, action verbs that Jesus says. If you benefit from journaling, perhaps start writing down all the action statements of Jesus, and really let His commandments soak in to your memory.
Even after Jesus’ resurrection, right before His ascension into Heaven, He commanded the disciples to go from there and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them- what? All that He had commanded. Not only are we to benefit ourselves in a love relationship with Jesus by following His commandments, but we are to benefit others by sharing with them and teaching them His commandments. And the only way for us to follow His commandments and teach others His commandments is for us to know them. To love Him in return so much, that we want to spend time with Him learning and reminding ourselves of His teaching. I hope that today, you will choose to respond with great love to His great love for you, and that you will demonstrate that love for Him with action.