Day 32: It all Comes Down to Love

These three chapters (14-16), right after Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him, are one long speech by Jesus.  Chapter 17 is included in that, but in chapter 17 Jesus prays for his followers -- we'll get to that later.

For three chapters, Jesus teaches his disciples what are the most important things for them to know and to remember when he is crucified, and after he is raised and ascends to God.  The Comforter will come to you.  The world will hate you.  Do not be troubled.   You will have trouble in the world.  I have to go, for if I don't go away, the Comforter/Advocate will not come to you.  There is room in my father's house.  These are some of the things that Jesus says.  But, if you read and re-read and re-re-read these three chapters, it's inescapable:  the one most important theme keeps coming back:  "Love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus has just washed their feet, bent down to serve them.  He is about to die for them.  He wants them to form a community where people are willing to die for each other, willing to live for each other, willing to serve one another.  And, more than anything else, this commitment will be a witness to the world.

Jesus speaks of his love for the Father, and the Father's love for him.  He speaks of abiding in his love, like branches draw life from the vine.  He speaks of his love for them "greater love has no one than this:  to lay down one's life for one's friends."

He calls them friends.  I don't know how many examples of deep friendship we have in our culture, but it's worth pondering:  Jesus is talking about friendship as a deep and chosen commitment.  He is talking about people who are willing to trust each other with secrets.  Jesus says we are his friends because he has entrusted us with "everything he has heard from his Father."

It all comes down to love.  Three chapters of instructions; he needs to say it over and over and over.

And over.