Scripture: John
14:15–21
Last week’s Gospel Lesson was from John 14:1-14. This
reading picks up where that one left off. These are words that Jesus spoke to
his disciples at the Last Supper. In this reading Jesus speaks of loving him
and doing as he commands. He also speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit and
his own second coming. We are reminded here that love for Jesus is shown
keeping his commandments, and that we are not alone as we seek to love Jesus,
but the Holy Spirit dwells with and in us.
Teaching
When Jesus says, “If you love me…,” we need to know that
Greek has many specific words for what we vaguely call love. This word is agape and it means a self-giving,
sacrificial concern for others. While this feeling does not exclude friendship,
familial love, or even romantic love, it is not the same thing. Jesus is
calling us to the kind of love that he himself has for all people.
Our love for Jesus is ultimately shown in keeping his commandments.
Commandments are more than just ethical statements, or guidelines for living.
They include all of God’s Word. We are to observe, guard, and be mindful of God’s
Word to show our love for Jesus. He shows his love for us by dying and rising
for us, and by giving his Holy Spirit to be both with and in us. He makes sure
we are not abandoned by continually protected, comforted, and guided by the
Spirit.
Life
Sometimes people say that they love Jesus, but they live in
ways that are opposite to his teaching. Now, it is true that we will always
have sin as a regular part of our lives as long as we are in this world, but we
are not to act as though our sin is acceptable or to tolerate behavior within
ourselves that contradicts Scripture. Just as Jesus comes to us in the Word, we
show our love for him by cherishing his Word and obeying what it says.
Have you ever felt alone or abandoned? Jesus’ promise to not
leave us as orphans is comforting. The Spirit is always with us. Sometimes the
Spirit is called the Paraclete, which means the helper, comforter, and/or
advocate. In any case part of the Spirit’s work is to assure us that God is for
us. And if God is for us, who can stand against us? (Rom. 8:31)
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