Love of Jesus requires us to be obedient. If we profess to love Him we cannot do as we please, we must be obedient to His commands, Jesus tells us, John 14:15. Thankfully we are not left to do this alone. Jesus promised a Helper to be with the disciples and to be with us forever, verse 16. This Helper is the spirit of truth.
The spirit of truth helps us discern what is right and true. We can know Him because he abides with us and is with us, verse 17. How wonderful for the disciples and for us to know, as we go through each day, we are not alone, verse 18. We can rest assured too, that because Jesus was raised to life we will also be raised to life, verse 19.
What unity exists between the persons of the Godhead and also between the Godhead and the believer, verse 20!
Again Jesus comes back to that critical sign of love – obedience, keeping His commands. Keeping His commands is proof of our love for Him, verse 21. It is also the way to be accepted by the Father.
It is obvious that Judas hasn’t got clue. He doesn’t understand what Jesus is saying. It’s not that hard! Obedience proves our love. Again Jesus reiterates that point, verse 23. Those who don’t love Jesus don’t keep His words. There are people like that today. They profess to love Jesus but deliberately go against what the bible teaches. Jesus says such people do not love Him.
Jesus promised the Helper would teach the disciples and us. He would bring to their remembrance Jesus’ words. He brings to our remembrance bible verses when we need them too, verse 26.
Jesus gives peace such as the world can’t give, so that we can be secure and not troubled or fearful, verse 27. About ten minutes before I read this passage I had asked the Lord to help me work past some fears and move forward with a project I am working on that didn’t seem to be progressing as I’d like. Alternatively I asked Him to show me clearly if should abandon it. Jesus answered my prayer, showing me I don’t need to be afraid but can step out and continue with this project, because my fears are unfounded.
I suspect Jesus is talking directly to Judas here when he says ‘if you had loved me,’ verse 28. Jesus knew Judas did not love Him and that Judas would betray Him. I trust He would not say the same to you or me but that we all show we love Jesus by being obedient to His Word.
Bible verses from the New American Standard Version
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