This I command you: love one another. John 15:17 NABRE
Jesus has shared the love and communion He has with His Father. He declares His disciples friends, He has told them everything He has heard from the Father. The few people in the world who know the Father are Jesus’ followers. These followers were called by Jesus and sent to Him by the Father. They are His chosen disciples, He depends on them to spread His message and to tell the world all they know about His Father, in other words, everything. Jesus is ready to send them out, to bear fruit, to spread the message of love, telling people God loves them so much He will do anything to bring them joy. It is not clear if the disciples completely understand but in time they do spread the message of Jesus, they do share all that Jesus has told them, particularly about the Father and they grow the movement that Jesus has begun. But there is one very important message Jesus wants to leave them with, they must love one another. We too must love one another. All the teachings of Jesus, the miracles and healings, the forgiveness and mercy mean nothing if love is not present. Jesus’ message will go nowhere if people don’t recognize those spreading the message in love with one another. It is impossible to spread a message of love without loving. I would say this is Jesus final command, love one another.
It seems odd that Jesus frames it as a command, because if there is love, then no commands are necessary. But Jesus is stressing the importance of this message of love. We can do everything wrong, misinterpret all Jesus has spoken, but we can’t get love wrong. We must love one another. If we don’t love one another then we don’t understand anything about Jesus or the Father.
Who do you love? How do you show love?
We can do everything wrong, misinterpret all Jesus has spoken, but we can't get love wrong. We must love one another. If we don't love one another then we don't understand anything about Jesus or the Father. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #love #others #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways