It's Gotta Be LOVE ---- John 15-17

Almost 40 years ago, I gave my life to Christ. As I have said previously in this journal, it is a decision I have never denied, or for that matter, regretted. It is however, one I have betrayed. Then again, that has not been a secret, if you have read this journal.

When I came to Christ, if my memory serves me correctly, one of the things I was instructed to do, as part of my “growing in Christ” was to read the Bible. In fact, it was suggested that I start with the Gospel of John. This Bible reading was something I was eager to do. However, as many of you already know, I dabbled in John, but started in Genesis of course, because that was the beginning after all!

These past few days, as the Gospel of John is sweeping me away. Each word, each phrase, each “situation” compels me to read more. Then, when I finish for the day, I ask myself, why would anyone suggest a new Christian to start reading in the Gospel of John? Some of Jesus’ most compelling and complex sayings are in this book. You could spend a year feeding in this book alone and still not exhaust its riches.

To be candid, I do not understand much of what I am reading. There was a time when I use to berate the disciples for their dullness, now it seems that I am the dull one.

Here is what I am thinking. It seems that we get much of our theology from Paul and many of our favorite sayings from Jesus! Perhaps there is a reason for that. Let me just toss this out: I think, there is a tendency to dismiss the conditional sayings of Jesus and qualify his promises. But with the statements of Paul, we usually only qualify “cultural” issues and tend to leave substance alone, as long as it doesn’t interfere with our comfort zone, such as “prayer languages” and the like. I know this is a rather large blanket to throw over the issue, without more detail, but it is just something I have been noodling.

I will come back to all of this, but not right now. What is sticking with me is LOVE: the love of Jesus for the Father, for his disciples, for those who did and would believe in him, and for me!

His prayer in chapter 17 is all about love. Everything Jesus did he did out of love for the Father. Every indignity he suffered was out of love for the world. Every word he uttered was out of love for those of us who would believe in him. Every purpose, every parable, every promise was planned, presented, and provided out of LOVE. How wonderful is that?

Father God, I know our prayers are to directed to you. But, if I may, I would like to say a word to your Son. Jesus…Thank you. Thank you that you loved me enough! Thank you for every mile you walked, every word you spoke, every shame you suffered, and every tear you shed. But most of all, thank you for the Cross and the empty tomb!
Father Spirit, thank you that you loved the world so much that you sacrificed your only begotten son, that I might have an intimate and eternal relationship with YOU! I am forever grateful!