"What Is Love?"
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (John 15:9closeJohn 15:9 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (ESV) closeJohn 15:9closeJohn 15:9 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (ESV) 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (ESV) )
The Father’s love for the Son was:
-Eternal; before time began & it will be without end
-Not based on works; “This is My Son, whom I love…” His love is not based on works. Yes, God goes on to say, “… with whom I am well pleased.” but that is not the basis of His love
-Personal; Jesus spent much time talking with His Father in Prayer
-Not Complete; Jesus doesn’t know the Last Day; there is equality & rank in the Trinity
-Affected by Sin: Herod tried to kill Jesus; people lied about Him; He was killed. God’s love did not stop any of these things from happening. This side of Heaven, the reality of sin impacts even the Father.
*And yet as King David prophesied; the Father did not let the Holy One see decay. The ultimate power of sin, which is death; was not allowed to corrupt Jesus.
-Caring: God sent the Angels to minister to Jesus
-Directed: The Holy Spirit guided Jesus in ministry
-Deeper than, “Yes”: Jesus’ wish was for the cup to be taken from Him
-Joyful for Jesus: Luke 10:21closeLuke 10:21 Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will 21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (ESV) closeLuke 10:21closeLuke 10:21 Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will 21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (ESV) Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will 21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (ESV) says that Jesus was “full of joy”. His joy both temporary & eternal
- It was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross…
-Royal: The Father conferred a Kingdom on Jesus (Luke 22:29closeLuke 22:29 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, (ESV) closeLuke 22:29closeLuke 22:29 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, (ESV) 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, (ESV) )
-Trusted by Jesus: When He died, Jesus said, “Father into Your hands I commit My spirit…”
-Open: Jesus said His Father showed Him all that He (the Father) was doing (John 5:20closeJohn 5:20 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. (ESV) closeJohn 5:20closeJohn 5:20 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. (ESV) 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. (ESV) )
-A Blessing By Which He would Bless Others: the Father’s love for the Son was not just for the Son’s benefit; it was not “all about Him”; Jesus was blessed in order to be a blessing (John 5:19; 6:38closeJohn 5:19 The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. John 6:38 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. (ESV) closeJohn 5:19closeJohn 5:19 The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (ESV) The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. John 6:38closeJohn 6:38 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. (ESV) 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. (ESV) )
-Filled with Pride in Him: Jesus recognized that His Father loved Him for His selfless love (Jn 10:17closeJohn 10:17 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. (ESV) closeJohn 10:17closeJohn 10:17 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. (ESV) 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. (ESV) )
** Are you experiencing this depth of love from Jesus?
** Do you realize that this is how He loves you?
** Are you remaining in His love?
If you are desiring this sort of love & relationship in your life; you are experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart- He calls & gathers us to our Father. Take a moment and tell God, "Thank you".
If you do not have a Pastor; here is a directory you could use- www.lcms.org
Jim Buckman
