Loving God

Prayer:

Lord, teach us the defining focus of Jesus Christ in discipleship. Help us not to follow You with divided hearts or distracted minds, but with unwavering devotion and clear purpose—to know You more deeply, to become like You, and to make You known to others. May we fully embrace the mission and mindset of Jesus, walking daily in obedience and love.

Amen.

JOHN 14:31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.

His love for the Father is not just words or feelings—it is action. Jesus demonstrated His love by fully obeying the Father’s will, even when it meant going to the cross. His obedience was not the response of a servant forced to comply, but the expression of a Son who deeply loves His Father.

True love flows from a close, trusting relationship, not from fear, guilt, or mere obligation. Jesus’ obedience was a public testimony of His love for the Father. In the same way, when we love God through our actions—not just with our lips—others can see His love reflected in us.

JOHN 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus gives His disciples a command that lies at the very heart of true discipleship: to love one another. This command was not entirely new, since the Old Testament already called God’s people to love their neighbor. What made it new was the standard and measure of love Jesus established. He did not simply say “love one another,” but “love one another as I have loved you.” This raised the command to a higher level—calling for a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional, the kind of love Jesus demonstrated through His life and would soon display fully on the cross. This love would become the defining mark of His disciples. The world would recognize them, not by titles or positions, but by the way they genuinely loved and served one another.

After giving this command, Jesus moved in John 14 to comfort His disciples. Their hearts were troubled because of three shocking revelations: He told them He was leaving them, He revealed that one of them would betray Him, and He predicted that Peter would deny Him. These words shook their sense of security and left them fearful about the future. Jesus knew the trials that awaited them—the pain of His crucifixion, the coming persecution, and the heavy responsibility of carrying the gospel to the nations. To strengthen their hearts, He gave them three powerful promises: the promise of His presence through the Holy Spirit, the promise of His peace that the world cannot give, and the promise of His power to continue His mission. Love, therefore, is not only the mark of discipleship but also the source of strength that binds and empowers believers to face challenges together and fulfill the mission Jesus entrusted to them.

The first promise.

JOHN 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

When Jesus said these words, He was not merely talking about leaving to build heavenly mansions; He was speaking of the path He had to take to make that place possible. Jesus had to go to the cross—He had to face Calvary, offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice, and shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins. His death, burial, and resurrection would open the way for us to enter the Father’s house. In other words, the preparation of that place was not through construction but through redemption. By giving His life, Jesus secured our place in the presence of God.

This promise is deeply personal and filled with hope. Jesus was assuring His disciples that His departure was not abandonment but preparation. His sacrifice would make it possible for us to be with Him forever. Heaven is not just a destination—it is a relationship restored through the finished work of Christ on the cross.

The second promise.

JOHN 14:16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

When Jesus said “another Helper,” He used the Greek word “allos”, which means another of the same kind—not heteros, which means another of a different kind. This is significant. Jesus was telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father would send, would be just like Him in nature, character, and purpose. The Spirit would continue the same work Jesus began—comforting, teaching, guiding, and empowering the disciples.

Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ presence would not end with His departure; rather, it would be experienced in a new and deeper way. The Holy Spirit would not just be with them externally but would dwell within them, remaining with them forever. This was Jesus’ assurance that even though He was physically leaving, His followers would never be alone. The Spirit would be their constant Helper, Advocate, Comforter, and Guide.

The third promise.

JOHN 14:19 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.

These words of Jesus carried a profound and life-changing truth. At first, the disciples could not fully grasp what He meant, but after His resurrection, these words suddenly came alive with power and clarity, and the implications exploded in their hearts. Jesus was declaring that His death would not be the end. Though the world would no longer see Him after the crucifixion, His disciples would see Him again in His resurrected glory. His victory over death would guarantee their life as well.

This promise is more than comfort—it is the foundation of our hope. Jesus’ resurrection ensures the eternal life of all who believe in Him. Because He lives, we share in His life, His victory, and His future. His resurrection was not only proof of who He is, but also a promise of our own resurrection and unbreakable union with Him forever.

Everything Jesus did in obedience to the Father was to reveal to the world His love for the Father. Loving God is the heart and sum of true discipleship. Our response to God’s love defines the depth and authenticity of our discipleship.

Discipleship is not merely following rules—it is a life of devotion to God. In response to His great love, we gladly do our duty. We obey, serve, and follow because we love the Father—and we love Him because He first loved us.

Jesus came to earth to fulfill the will of the Father. His life and mission were centered on love for God. At its core, discipleship is about loving God above all else.

DEUTERONOMY 6:4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

The word “one” here does not merely refer to a numerical value but speaks of God’s uniqueness, oneness, and absolute supremacy. There is no other like Him—He alone is God. That is the core of this scripture: because God is uniquely and supremely worthy, we are called to love Him with our entire being—with all our heart, soul, and strength.

Jesus came and perfectly fulfilled this command. He demonstrated what it truly means to love the Father with everything—fully, completely, and without reservation. And through Him, we are empowered to love God in the same way.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for revealing Your love through Jesus Christ. Teach us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. May our discipleship not be driven by duty alone but by deep devotion to You. Shape our hearts to mirror the love that Jesus had for You—an obedient, unwavering, and joyful love.

Help us to live each day with the same focus and passion Jesus displayed, seeking Your will above all else. May our obedience flow from love, not obligation, and may our lives become living testimonies of Your grace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.