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John 15:12-17
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.
Grace Prayed For
The grace to love selflessly. Jesus commands us to love one another as He loves us, a love that is sacrificial and unconditional. Pray for the ability to put the needs of others before your own and to love even those who are difficult to love.
The Call to Love as Friends
In this passage, Jesus extends a profound invitation to His disciples – and to us – to enter into a relationship of friendship with Him, marked by self-sacrificial love and obedience.
Love One Another as I Love You
Jesus sets the bar high. He doesn’t simply call us to tolerate or be kind to one another; He commands us to love as He loves. This is a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It is the kind of love that puts the needs of others before our own, even to the point of laying down our lives for them.
From Slaves to Friends
Jesus elevates our relationship with Him from that of slaves to friends. A slave obeys out of fear or duty, but a friend obeys out of love and trust. Jesus shares His heart with us, revealing the Father’s will and inviting us into His confidence. This intimacy deepens our connection with Him and empowers us to live out His commands.
Chosen and Appointed
We didn’t choose Jesus; He chose us. He handpicked us and appointed us to bear lasting fruit. This fruit is the evidence of our abiding in Him and the manifestation of His love in our lives. It is through this fruit that we bring glory to God and fulfill our purpose as His disciples.
Love One Another
Jesus repeats His command to love one another. This is not an optional suggestion but a central tenet of our faith. It is the distinguishing mark of true discipleship and the key to experiencing the fullness of His joy.
Conclusion
This passage challenges us to examine our relationships and our commitment to loving others. Are we willing to lay down our lives for our friends, as Jesus did for us? Are we actively seeking to bear fruit that will last? Let us embrace the invitation to be friends of Jesus, living out His command to love one another and reflecting His love to the world.
Questions for Reflection:
How can I deepen my friendship with Jesus and live out His commands more faithfully?
How can I demonstrate Christ-like love to those around me, even when it’s difficult?
In what ways am I bearing fruit that will last?
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Understanding the Depth of His Love: The passage begins with Jesus’ commandment to love one another as He has loved us. Reflecting on the immense sacrifice of Jesus laying down His life for us helps us grasp the depth of His love. This understanding fosters a sense of awe and gratitude, drawing us closer to Him in love and devotion.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post