John 15:9-11
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. – John 15:10
There are many kinds of loves that Jesus could’ve compared his love to, but he didn’t say, “I love you like a mother loves her baby,” or “like a husband loves his wife”. The only way he could convey the extent of his love for his disciples was to compare it with the love of his Father for him.
A questioning reader may note: Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and served them sacrificially. He even died for his disciples. Has the Father done these things for the Son?
No, but there are other attributes of the Father’s love that he did show to Jesus—the fact that the Father’s love is eternal, infinite and unchanging, that the Father is always communicating with and guiding the Son.
The ignorant questioner may ask once more: But the Father gave his Son to die for sinners! And if Jesus says he loves us the same way, does that mean he’s telling us to give our lives for unworthy sinners, too? How can that be love?
Jesus answers in v.11: These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Jesus himself endured the cross and despised the shame that was associated with it, all “for the joy that was set before him” (Heb 12:2). What joy did the Father set before the Son? The joys of fulfilling the will of the Father and of saving the world of sinners who were destined for death.
God’s love for us isn’t about only giving us good things and keeping us from harm. Sometimes, in his love, God tells us to do hard and difficult things that challenge us to sacrifice and deny ourselves. It is not because he wants to see us suffer, but so that we will be able to experience the joys of living victoriously, of becoming strong in our faith, and of taking part in his great plan of salvation.
The Father’s love for the Son, and the Son’s love for us is a tough love, similar to that of a coach that pushes the athlete to reach beyond their personal best. When we obey Christ’s commands, even if it brings us to die to ourselves, we are pushed beyond our comfort zone and empowered to surpass our perceived capacity. It’s in obedience that we discover that we were made to be so much more than we are now, not only for our benefit but [also] for this world he loves. In this we experience the joy that Jesus felt and also the love that Christ has for us, who wants better things for us.
Reflection:
Are we experiencing God’s tough love today, being pushed to do things that are challenging? Let us rely on his grace which is sufficient to bring us to fruition, trusting that through obedience we will experience the joy that is set before those who love and trust him.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for your love, both gentle and tough. You don’t just see us only as we are, but also who we could be in you. You lovingly push us to reach our full potential. Grant us a fresh experience of your sufficient grace to persevere and complete the task you’ve given to us. May our joy reach its fullness as we see you working in and through us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
There are many kinds of loves that Jesus could’ve compared his love to, but he didn’t say, “I love you like a mother loves her baby,” or “like a husband loves his wife”. The only way he could convey the extent of his love for his disciples was to compare it with the love of his Father for him.
A questioning reader may note: Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and served them sacrificially. He even died for his disciples. Has the Father done these things for the Son?
No, but there are other attributes of the Father’s love that he did show to Jesus—the fact that the Father’s love is eternal, infinite and unchanging, that the Father is always communicating with and guiding the Son.
The ignorant questioner may ask once more: But the Father gave his Son to die for sinners! And if Jesus says he loves us the same way, does that mean he’s telling us to give our lives for unworthy sinners, too? How can that be love?
Jesus answers in v.11: These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Jesus himself endured the cross and despised the shame that was associated with it, all “for the joy that was set before him” (Heb 12:2). What joy did the Father set before the Son? The joys of fulfilling the will of the Father and of saving the world of sinners who were destined for death.
God’s love for us isn’t about only giving us good things and keeping us from harm. Sometimes, in his love, God tells us to do hard and difficult things that challenge us to sacrifice and deny ourselves. It is not because he wants to see us suffer, but so that we will be able to experience the joys of living victoriously, of becoming strong in our faith, and of taking part in his great plan of salvation.
The Father’s love for the Son, and the Son’s love for us is a tough love, similar to that of a coach that pushes the athlete to reach beyond their personal best. When we obey Christ’s commands, even if it brings us to die to ourselves, we are pushed beyond our comfort zone and empowered to surpass our perceived capacity. It’s in obedience that we discover that we were made to be so much more than we are now, not only for our benefit but [also] for this world he loves. In this we experience the joy that Jesus felt and also the love that Christ has for us, who wants better things for us.
Reflection:
Are we experiencing God’s tough love today, being pushed to do things that are challenging? Let us rely on his grace which is sufficient to bring us to fruition, trusting that through obedience we will experience the joy that is set before those who love and trust him.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for your love, both gentle and tough. You don’t just see us only as we are, but also who we could be in you. You lovingly push us to reach our full potential. Grant us a fresh experience of your sufficient grace to persevere and complete the task you’ve given to us. May our joy reach its fullness as we see you working in and through us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.