Our scripture this week is John 14:15-21.
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:21
Jesus teaches that our obedience is key to God’s plan for us. We have His commands, we know what is expected of us and we show our love for God by keeping (obeying) them. We have received His instructions from the very beginning, and sadly, we have a poor record of following them.
Genesis 1:28 gives us our first commandment to manage God’s creation, Genesis 2:17 warns us not to eat the forbidden fruit. Later on, God gave laws to the Hebrews to help guide them as His people, to worship Him alone and live together in peace (Exodus 20). God has always told us what He wanted for us and from us.
During Jesus time on Earth the religious leaders had put together numerous complicated and largely unfair rules to attempt to cover every possible situation. Jesus cut through all that with the simple instruction “Love the Lord with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself “. This is the greatest commandment, the one He says we will keep if we love Him.
Gracious God, we are thankful for Jesus coming to love and save and free us. Help us to be Your people, aware of Your call on our lives and obedient to Your will. Amen.