Abiding Together
Date: May 9, 2021
Preacher: Rev. Nathan Hill
Scripture: John 17:6-19
In verse 12 and 13, Jesus says to his disciples, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
The love that Jesus is described is not simply affection for someone. It’s not even necessarily defined by the love we might have for a family member. The love here is a deep wellspring rooted in the true vine, Jesus, who the Gospel says is love. Love then is truly love it reflects the way of Jesus - a high bar.
Emily Askew in a commentary explains it this way: “Love in this passage is not a psychological state, nor is it anywhere described as an internal quality. Love is an action—a really difficult action. The definition of love here is a radical willingness to die—not for your child or spouse, but for a fellow follower of Christ.”