For as long as it takes we are going to study the gospel of
John chapters fourteen to seventeen. Some of it will be what I have already
written and some will be new. Therefore it may sometimes appear that I leave
off in the middle of a topic to be continued, since I have reached my daily
word count limit.
To pick up the topic, you may need to read the one or two
postings preceding this one.
How did Jesus love His twelve disciples? As I read the
gospels I see Him revealing truths to them, putting them to the test (Matthew
17:24-27), reprimanding them (Luke 9:46-48, Mark 10:35-45), protecting them
(Matthew 12:1-8), teaching them faith and creating in them the reality about the
life of a follower of Jesus: “I have told you these things, so that in me you
may have peace. In this world
you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,”
(John 16:33). Did He pamper them and promised them a prosperous life? What was
their life like? Did they have a wonderful social and comfortable life, each
with their congregation that looked well after them? Did they live in
comfortable houses and were honoured by men? Every single one died a martyr’s
death? Why was it like that? Jesus wanted them to sit on the twelve thrones at
the throne of God (Matthew 19:28), and for them to have that reward, they had
to pay the price of unconditional obedience to the Lord. Can you see that Jesus
loved them just as Father God had loved Him (see previous message)?
And when we look at ourselves, what do we expect from
the Lord’s love? ‘Lord, please bless
me here and bless me there. Give me this and give me that.’ When
I review my life, the times that I asked the latter from the Lord were the
times I was the unhappiest, but the times when I lived a self sacrificial life
of work and service in the Kingdom, were the most blessed times in my life. Yes
the Lord wants to give to us and bless us, for He likes to be asked. However,
the old command keeps on ringing – “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or
'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ... But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,”
(Matthew 6:31-33).
The tricky part of our verse comes next – “... so have I
loved you”. We had an explanation on why and how Father God loved Jesus
and then Jesus proclaimed that He loves us exactly like that. So what is the
conclusion? Father God loves Jesus because Jesus, through the ages, was active
in promoting and working hard for Father God’s cause – the building of His
Kingdom and for exactly the same reason Jesus loves us. As we go through the rest
of this chapter it will come up time and again. Jesus never promised us all
kinds of gifts as a token of His love. Right through the New Testament we
repeatedly get the same message – He wants us to work, labour, serve, build the
Kingdom, obey His commands of which all of them either relates to relationships
that will enhance the Kingdom or to work that will build the Kingdom. We have not
been saved to be served, but to serve. Just read the New Testament with the aim
to find commands and you will see what I mean. The Lord gave us gifts with the
view to put it to work (Romans 12:6-8), He gave us talents and ordered us to develop it
for the work of the ministry (Matthew 25:15-30), He gave us the Holy
Spirit to guide us in the work, He meets our daily needs in order that we can
be effective in our work (Matthew 6:33) and so on.
How else will people hear about Jesus if nobody works
to tell them? How else will we be encouraged if no-one works to encourage, How
else will the body be taught and equipped if nobody works to teach and how else
will people see the glory of God if nobody works miracles to draw people’s attention
to Him. “My Father is always at his work
to this very day, and I too am working,” (John 5:17). “As long as it
is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is
coming, when no one can work,” (John
9:4).
Jesus concluded the sentence in our passage with the
words: “Now
remain in my love”. How do we remain in His love (to be continued)?
Father, please love me as you loved Jesus and Him His
disciples.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth,
via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will
accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you
think others may benefit by it.
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