Our Gospel lesson is John 15:9-17, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Jesus gives us a wonderful promise in verse 15, saying “all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you”. Jesus wants us to know His purpose and understand our connection to that purpose. He came to show that our relationship to God is the most important thing there is, and loving each other is equally essential.
He calls us friends, wanting us to be part of His work. We know there is a special bond between Him and the Father, but He teaches that we are loved in the same way. When we accept the invitation to be part of His kingdom, we accept the same obligation to go and share God’s love.
Our task is to tell others all we have heard from the Father, just as Jesus did. We are the disciples of today with the same responsibility He gave His followers originally. He asked us to go and do likewise that all the world may know.
Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called Your children. Help us to bring the joy of Your salvation to everyone, everywhere. Amen.