The Loving Rule of Jesus
The Loving Rule of Jesus
by Chy Robins
The Kingdom of God is like nothing we have otherwise experienced. All of its characteristics are contrary to what we understand about authority. In the Kingdom, leadership looks like humility and servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28), family isn’t necessarily biological (Mark 3:31-35), and losing your life is how you find it (Matt 16:24-25)!
One most notably unique characteristic of the Kingdom of God is love.
Jesus is king, so Jesus can talk about obeying commands :)
He tells his disciples in John 15, “if you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love (v10).” Now this is not one of those, “do what I say or I’m not your friend anymore” types of conversations you might hear on the playground or between siblings. Jesus had just finished explaining the illustration of branches (disciples) abiding in the vine (him) so that they can bear fruit, because apart from him, we can do nothing (vv1-8).
It’s not manipulation – Jesus is explaining how abiding works. We remain in him, and bear fruit. Bearing fruit looks like keeping his commands, which is how we continue to remain. That’s how it is between Jesus and the Father (v10b), and that’s the same relational dynamic he gives us.
And what are these commands Jesus is talking about? Love each other (v12, 17). It’s simple, but it’s not easy, because this kind of love looks like sacrifice (v13). I’m reminded, however, that Jesus never calls us to do anything he himself hasn’t done. He always shows us the way.
Why does Jesus give instruction around commands and love? “…so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (v11).” Complete joy! He gives us joy for obedience – not temporary, fleeting happiness, which we so often chase, but the genuine and steadfast joy of the Lord!
Like a vine is to branches, so is Jesus our source of life. We can obey whatever he calls us to do, because he gives us the will and the power to do it. While earthly authority often looks like “do what I say, or suffer the consequences,” commands in the Kingdom come from love and produce love. Let us press in to know this love more fully today, to bear fruit, and to experience the joy of the Lord that our king promises.
by Chy Robins
The Kingdom of God is like nothing we have otherwise experienced. All of its characteristics are contrary to what we understand about authority. In the Kingdom, leadership looks like humility and servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28), family isn’t necessarily biological (Mark 3:31-35), and losing your life is how you find it (Matt 16:24-25)!
One most notably unique characteristic of the Kingdom of God is love.
Jesus is king, so Jesus can talk about obeying commands :)
He tells his disciples in John 15, “if you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love (v10).” Now this is not one of those, “do what I say or I’m not your friend anymore” types of conversations you might hear on the playground or between siblings. Jesus had just finished explaining the illustration of branches (disciples) abiding in the vine (him) so that they can bear fruit, because apart from him, we can do nothing (vv1-8).
It’s not manipulation – Jesus is explaining how abiding works. We remain in him, and bear fruit. Bearing fruit looks like keeping his commands, which is how we continue to remain. That’s how it is between Jesus and the Father (v10b), and that’s the same relational dynamic he gives us.
And what are these commands Jesus is talking about? Love each other (v12, 17). It’s simple, but it’s not easy, because this kind of love looks like sacrifice (v13). I’m reminded, however, that Jesus never calls us to do anything he himself hasn’t done. He always shows us the way.
Why does Jesus give instruction around commands and love? “…so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (v11).” Complete joy! He gives us joy for obedience – not temporary, fleeting happiness, which we so often chase, but the genuine and steadfast joy of the Lord!
Like a vine is to branches, so is Jesus our source of life. We can obey whatever he calls us to do, because he gives us the will and the power to do it. While earthly authority often looks like “do what I say, or suffer the consequences,” commands in the Kingdom come from love and produce love. Let us press in to know this love more fully today, to bear fruit, and to experience the joy of the Lord that our king promises.