Jan 30, 2022
Scripture Reading: John 15:12-17
Continuing to say things specifically designed to encourage His apostles (and us), Jesus issues a command and He gives it twice … "love one another" (Jn 15:12,17). It is a command that Jesus had also given earlier (Jn 13:34). This command is found at least 15 times in the New Testament, using the word 'love' and many more times using synonyms. Love between Christians is not a peripheral issue in our lives. It is central in proclaiming the gospel. Many glorious benefits are the results of mutual love between believers, not the least of which is encouragement in the many troubles of life.
It is unusually encouraging for Jesus refer to His followers as 'friends' in this passage. Friends talk with each other and bare their hearts to each other. The imagery of Jesus being our friend (and our being His) is warmly and strongly comforting. Let no believer say that he/she does not have any friends. At the deepest level, where it matters most, Jesus is a "friend that sticks closer than a brother."
The apostles were chosen and appointed to their office at the initiative of Jesus (Jn 15:16). They did not approach Him for this task, but He specifically identified them to be in His group. John 15:16 refers to these eleven men, in the present context, but everything in this passage has application, beyond the apostles, to all believers. Multiple passages in the New Testament refer to Christians being chosen by God (1 Cor 1:27,28; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 2:4,9). As believers, "we shall certainly trace up the beginning of our salvation to the choosing grace of Christ" (J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on John, 3:85). This foundation of our salvation in Christ is, indeed, of inestimable encouragement and strength.