I. Love As Jesus Loved Vs. 12, 13
A. Love Is Commanded V. 12
1. Jesus would soon depart from His disciples.
2. His commands to them have been about loving God and loving each other.
John 13:34, 35; 14:15, 21, 24; 15:9, 10.
3. There are Christians who love to study the Bible, and that is a great thing.
a. However, Jesus strongly emphasized that we love God and love each other.
b. Correct theology is important; but that doesn’t identify as His disciples.
c. Loving one another identifies us as followers of Jesus
B. Jesus’ Love Was More Than… Vs. 12, 13
1. More Than Sentimental
a. Many people love others because of sentiment.
b. The down side is that their love is withheld when sentiment is not felt.
2. More Than Sacrificial
a. There are many non-Christians that love others sacrificially.
b. Suicide bombers claim love for Allah and for the Radical Islamic system of Sharia Law that they believe best serves man.
c. Many people are sacrificial in their actions for causes that the Bible condemns.
C. Jesus’ Love Was Based Upon Eternal Spiritual Truths
1. as I have loved you-
a. What was present in the love of Jesus that made and makes it unique?
b. It was emotional and sacrificial, but most importantly, based upon eternal truth.
2. Jesus’ love was based on mankind’s need for forgiveness and redemption.
a. John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
3. Jesus’ love was more than just sentimental.
a. Matthew 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect (full grown, mature, complete), just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (lacking nothing)
b. Romans 5:6-10 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
4. Jesus’ love for them had their eternal well-being in mind.
a. John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
5. Jesus’ Love For Them Was Extremely Sacrificial.
a. Jesus sacrificed so much in His Passion: the beatings and the crucifixion.
b. He sacrificed so much in what it cost Him to become man and live as man.
II. A Benefit Of Obeying The Command To Love Vs. 14-17
A. A Relationship Of Friendship V. 14
1. Jesus has explained that He will soon demonstrate the highest expression of love by laying down His life for His friends.
2. The evidence of them loving Him: obedience to His command to love.
3. Jesus said that their obedience to love one another would bring them into a relationship with Him which He called friendship.
4. Spurgeon- “Some think it is quite sufficient if they avoid what he forbids. Abstinence from evil is a great part of righteousness, but it is not enough for friendship.”
B. The Benefits Of Friendship Vs. 15-17
1. V. 15- There is a big difference between the master/servant relationship and friendship.
a. Masters don’t divulge certain information to their servants. They just command them.
i. The master/servant relationship is stiff, rigid, and formal
ii. A servant is not invited into the inner circle of the master
b. Friends share information in a more intimate relationship.
i. The friendship relationship is more casual, but especially intimate.
ii. Friends have a better understanding of each other.
iii. Communication is more intimate and nuanced.
iv. Friends better understand one another’s intentions; short and long range goals.
2. Jesus explains to His friends those things that He heard from His Father.
3. How do we experience that friendship relationship with Jesus? Love one another.
a. Love each other by being concerned about people’s forgiveness and redemption.
i. That means we don’t focus on how we make them feel, but rather, what they need.
b. Love beyond sentimentality; love those who feel like enemies.
i. If we love only those whom we like, that is only self-serving and nothing special.
c. Love people with a mindset towards their eternal well-being.
i. Don’t love them for what you can get back in return.
d. Love people even if it costs you a lot to do so; love them sacrificially.
i. We don’t choose to love only if it is convenient or comfortable.
4. What if I choose to NOT love others the way Jesus loves me?
a. Then Jesus will feel more like a master than a friend.
b. My enjoyment of relationship with Him will be stiff and awkward.
c. I won’t enjoy the close communication that he has with His friends.
C. More Thoughts Regarding Friendship Vs. 16, 17
1. V. 16- For the person that obeys Jesus and becomes more closely acquainted with Him…
a. Who enjoys Jesus on a more friendly level…
b. Who has clearer insights about God’s guidance for His life…
c. That person needs to remember it was Jesus who chose them, not vice versa.
d. That place of closeness is still a place that has been granted to us.
2. V. 16– Though they may be closeness as friends, there is still responsibility.
a. Disciples and friends of Jesus are called to bear fruit that will remain.
b. Discipleship doesn’t include friendship per se; but the reverse is always true.
c. It takes a mature Christian to feel close to Jesus and not yet lose the awe of Him.
3. V. 16- Once again we see the promise of answered prayer.
a. The friend of Jesus who loves sacrificially, unselfishly, and with eternity in view…
b. …that one will be praying for things that the Father is willing to give.
4. V. 17- Jesus once again repeats this very important command to love as He loves.