As I Have Loved You

As I Have Loved You – John’s Gospel chapter 15 verses 12-17

The Love of God is unfathomable

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Compelled to Love

My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12-13

Love for each other is the birthmark of the Christian. Church is not a place we go once a week, but a family we belong to. It is vital for the church’s witness in the world. And it is Christ’s example. He died for us.

Elevated to Love 

You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:14-15

“I have called you friends, not servants.” A condescending work of grace. Brought into the King’s inner circle. He has held nothing back from us. Brought near to Him, and so able to reflect that love to others.

Chosen in Love

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: love each other.

John 15:16-17

In those days the Israelites chose their Rabbi. Jesus reverses this. “I have chosen you.” How can I look down on anyone who Christ calls His Friend? Do others see Jesus in me?  He wants us to bear fruit, and will answer prayer towards this.

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