John 13-15

The Book of John is one of my favorites of the Bible. I learn so much about Jesus and His love for us. It inspires me!

13:23 There was reclining on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

That is such a beautiful picture. I can't tell you how many times I've imagined leaning against Jesus' bosom and just chatting with Him, knowing that He loves me and enjoys the intimacy of our relationship! Once, I leaned against Him crying my soul out, and I felt His arms (a total encompassing warmth) envelop me.

13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another even as I have loved you, that you also love on another.

Ponder that for a few moments. How did Jesus love His disciples? With an agape love! That is a forgiving, unconditional, all-encompassing love. He loved the sinners which means we are to love the sinners. Not the sin! He abhorred and corrected the sin, but it did not stop His love for them. Are we able to do that? Can we forgive and go on still loving the person who has hurt us? Didn't Peter hurt his Best Friend when he denied Him three times? But Jesus still loved Peter, and even gave him a special commission in Chapter 21 when he was told to feed His sheep and follow Him. For more on forgiving and continuing in a love relationship, go to And Now I Must Forgive.

Jesus also showed His love by serving. He did not come to be served, but to serve. Are you waiting to be served, or are you waiting to serve? :)

13:35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Another very strong scripture. When we truly love one another, then ALL men will know that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Do you fight back when someone hurts or humiliates you? Do you think about revenge? Do you show love to the homeless or are you above them? Your actions of love are the greatest testimony of Jesus Christ for the lost to see! Even when Jesus was dying on the cross, He asked forgiveness from the Father for those who had done all those horrors to Him. Ask God to develop in you an agape love in you for others, and see what God can do!

14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."

Only one way... through Jesus. Nothing more can be added to this, because this truth is simple. Only through Jesus Christ can we go the Father. There is no other way.

14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

True! I've experienced this! As we read, study and ponder the Bible, living Words are deposited into us. Countless times the Helper has reminded me of a scripture during a situation where His help was needed. Had I not studied, then what can He remind me of? He is faithful in teaching us ALL things.

14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

What peace do we find in the world? Financial security? Possessions? Spouse? Children? Fame? These are not His peace that He is talking about. His peace is that He is God; He knows all about you. Once you've given your life over to Him and given him Lordship over it, He leads you and guides your paths. You need not fear or be troubled. His promises are true: He will provide for you (Matthew 6:31-34). He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will keep you in perfect peace if you trust Him, keeping your mind on Him (Isaiah 26:3). The one I like best?

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God...

That is powerful! You can be still, because you know He is God. Do you know it?

15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

He is the vine, the nourishment, the sustenance comes from Him to the us the branches. Without Him, we wither and die. When we abide in Him, that is live virtually united to Him, then we bear much fruit. Apart from Him we can do nothing. He feeds us through His Word, the more nourishment we take in, the more fruit we can bear for HIS Glory. Not ours! :) Those who partake of our fruit, will then be able to glorify God.

Consider this: Suppose you've been studying the love chapter exclusively for some time. Praying it, pondering it, asking God for His Wisdom in it, and you come across a situation where you show that patient love, the recipient receives it with wonder. It's not often that this person will see this type of love in the world. He may ask you where you came across it. You then share and He becomes a Believer. It's happened to me - it can happen to you!

Again He commands that we love one another just as He has loved us in 15:12.