John chapter 15

vs 10

God the Father is promising that he will love us like a son if we obey his commands. We won't be gods, and we won't become part of the godhead like Jesus is, but our relationship will be that of son to Father, instead of simply created being to creator, or servant to master.

vs 11

Jesus' joy is not just a happiness to have some more brothers and sisters. I always find it so difficult to define biblical joy, because so much of what makes us happy is at least partly emotional almost certainly transient. Perhaps joy is knowing that things are good even when they don't feel good, or are going bad at the time. A joy of certainty is a great gift, and if that's what's being promised here, then there are few things more worthwhile.

vs 12

A repeat of the same command, so if we didn't get it before, we should get it now. If we are wanting to follow in Jesus' ways and obey his commands, then we are to love each other.

This obviously impacted John deeply, because it is reflected in all his letters (except perhaps Revelation, but that's understandable). It makes me think that all of the apostles might have been particularly effected by some part of Jesus' ministry, which they took away with them personally. I wonder.

vs 13

Jesus knew what he was talking about. And lots of the disciples would find out first hand too. This is the love Jesus expects. It is a love that loves all the way, even to death. Very few would die for a righteous man - how man woul die for a friend?

vs 14

Jesus says he will lay down his life for his friends, and that the disciples are included in that, but only if they do what he commands. Jesus was really impressing this on his disciples, and I feel like we really need it impressed on us. Love is so important. Anything we do without love is just stuff. It's not going to show people how much Christ loved us if we don't love. It's not going to be an example of faith. It's not going to change the world. It's not going to affect the kingdom. It will just be stuff.

vs 15

Friend of the Messiah. Friend of God. Jesus has shared with them the master's business. That makes them friends, perhaps even brothers. It means a much closer relationship than just a master to a servant. And what's the key to that? Who wants to bet it isn't love?

vs 16

A lot of repetition, but the idea that they have been chosen to bear fruit comes out here. God only gives to his chosen, and only his chosen will bear fruit.

vs 17

Is it? Hadn't heard that before.

vs 18

And now we start to see the context of this command. He is commanding his disciples to love in a world that hates them. That hates him too. It hated him first, actually. And now, if they do what he commands, they are going to be hated too. They have to choose - do they love the world and receive its love back, or do they love Jesus and obey his commands, and be hated by the world forever more. Well, it's not really forever, is it, because the world will be gone eventually.