Easter 6: Gospel, John 15:9-17                                               

John 15:9-17

Just read and savor the very first verse of our week’s gospel reading. Of course it is a part of a larger context. But there are verses of the Bible that are so immeasurably grand that to simply read and ponder them is delight. I hope you have found that to be the case in your walk with Christ.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:9). There isn’t a single truth from the Word of God that doesn’t come with challenge. But here, the Lord Jesus is kind enough to make it plain. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The truth to be savored here is that I am the target of Divine Love. I know. It’s too big, too grand to grasp. But here Jesus doesn’t just say, “Hey, God loves you.” No. Jesus tells us first that He knows what it is to be loved by the Father. As a man. He has experienced that. Then He goes on to say in effect, “And just what I know by my experience of being loved, well I love you that way.”

There’s plenty more in our reading, but we must get this first. A divine, fully experienced love has found us and rested upon us by the choice of the one who gives it. He wants us to know this love and to find that all that comes later starts here. With a love that our Savior has tasted for Himself.

It’s just too good.