Scripture: John 15:12-17 (WEBBE)
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17 “I command these things to you, that you may love one another.”
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus speaks to His disciples during the Last Supper, imparting to them one of the most important teachings of His ministry—the commandment to love one another. This love is not merely a feeling or an obligation, but a profound reflection of the love that Jesus has for us, a love that is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of others.
1. The Command to Love:
Jesus begins by giving a clear commandment: “Love one another, even as I have loved you.” This commandment is the foundation of the Christian life. Jesus’ love for us is the model for how we are to love others—selflessly, sacrificially, and unconditionally. He challenges us to look beyond our own needs and desires and to place the well-being of others above our own.
2. The Greatest Love:
In verse 13, Jesus describes the greatest expression of love: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This is the love that Jesus would soon demonstrate on the cross, where He gave His life for the salvation of humanity. This ultimate sacrifice is the pinnacle of love and serves as the example for us to follow in our relationships with others. While we may not all be called to physically lay down our lives, we are called to live sacrificially, putting the needs of others before our own, and being willing to give of ourselves for the sake of others.
3. Friendship with Jesus:
Jesus then makes a remarkable statement: “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” He no longer calls His disciples servants, but friends. This shift in relationship is profound. A servant follows commands without understanding the full picture, but a friend is brought into the confidence of the master. Jesus shares with His disciples everything that He has received from the Father, inviting them into a deep and intimate relationship with Him.
This friendship with Jesus is marked by obedience to His command to love. It is a relationship that is built on mutual trust, love, and commitment. As friends of Jesus, we are called to reflect His love in our lives, living out His commandments in our interactions with others.
4. Chosen and Appointed to Bear Fruit:
Jesus reminds His disciples that they did not choose Him, but He chose them. This is a powerful reminder of God’s initiative in our lives. We are chosen by God, not because of anything we have done, but because of His love and grace. He has appointed us to bear fruit—fruit that will last. This fruit is the result of living a life rooted in Christ’s love, a life that reflects His character and brings glory to God.
Jesus also promises that whatever we ask in His name, the Father will give it to us. This is not a blank check for our desires, but a promise that when we align our lives with His will and live out His commandments, our prayers will be in harmony with God’s purposes, and He will faithfully provide what we need to fulfill our calling.
5. The Command to Love Repeated:
Jesus concludes by reiterating the command to love one another. This repetition underscores the importance of this commandment in the life of a believer. Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ. It is through our love for one another that the world will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the incredible love You have shown us, a love that is willing to lay down everything for our sake. Help us to follow Your example and to love others with the same selfless, sacrificial love. May our lives bear lasting fruit as we live in obedience to Your commandments. Strengthen our friendship with You, and guide us in all our ways. Amen.
Contemplation:
Spend a few moments reflecting on the love of Christ in your life. How can you better reflect that love in your relationships with others? Consider specific ways you can lay down your own desires or interests to serve and care for those around you. Ask God to help you grow in love and to make you a vessel of His love in the world.
The thing about hope is that it’s a positive force that shines the most when it’s dark. When everything’s going well, we hardly notice it’s there. But when things go against us, when our dreams fade and when we see no immediate reprieve from our troubles, that’s when hope does its best work for us.
"Where Hope Can Be Found"