John 15:9-17—This is a continuation of Jesus’
last discourse with His disciples. It is appropriate that one of His last
messages was one of love. His disciples are to love as the Father loved Jesus
and as He loved His disciples. This love is expressed in keeping the
commandments and in the sacrifice of self for a friend. Because we are His
friends, Jesus shares all. By His choice, we are His friends. One privilege of
this friendship is having prayers answered. If we are disciples and true
friends of Jesus, we will love as He loved us.
Jesus says in verse 10, “If
you keep my commandments,” and again in verse 14, “You are friends if you do what I command you.” Does this mean that
Christ will love us only when we are good and obedient? If so, do we have to
earn Christ’s love by good behavior? Other passages of Scripture teach
otherwise. God loves us before we love him.
While we are yet sinners, Christ
died for us. (Romans 5:8) Though we are un-loveable and disobedient, Christ
loves us as we are. However, love will not allow us to be disobedient and if
love disappears, it is evident by our rebellious behavior.[1]
Collect for Easter 6: O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ou forever.[2] -06 May 2021—
[1] Lectionary preaching workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[2] Collect for Easter 6, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
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