John 12:1-11
Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet
John 12:12-19
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
John 12:20-26
Some Greeks Seek Jesus
John 12:27-36
Jesus Predicts His Death
John 12:37-50
Hardened Hearts and the Fear of Man
John 13:1-11
Humbleness, Holiness and Happiness
John 13:12-20
Happiness Comes by Serving Others
John 13:21-30
Jesus Prediction of His Betrayal
John 13:31-38
Christ’s Farewell Sermon to His Disciples
John 14:1-7
Jesus Encourages the Troubled Disciples
John 14:8-14
The Measure, Means, and Might of Prayer
John 14:15-24
The Holy Spirit’s Dwelling in Believers
John 14:25-31
The Disciple’s Question
John 15:1-11
The Pruning Process
John 15:12-17
The Commandment to Love One Another
John 15:18-27
Why the World Hates Christians
John 16:1-11
The Work of the Holy Spirit
John 16:12-22
The Transformation of Pain to Joy
John 16:23-28
Understanding God’s Word and Applying It
John 16:29-33
Jesus has Overcome the World
John 17:1-13
Jesus’ Prayer For His Glorification
John 17:14-19
Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples
John 17:20-26
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity of Believers
John 18:1-14
Jesus’ Betrayal by Judas
John 18:15-27
Trial Before Annas
The Commandment to Love One Another
John 15:12–17
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The second commandment is to love one another (v.12). Jesus defines the extent of that love in the phrase, “as I have loved you,” which means giving sacrificially to others (vv. 13-14). Love is not an emotional feeling, but it is the act of giving. As we mentioned in the previous passage, the key word has been “abide” which means to keep in fellowship with Christ so His life can work in and through us to bring forth fruit. This involves obeying Him because we love Him. Because of their obedience, Christ could now call them friends as He produced fruit through them (vv. 15-16).
However, because God loves us, He “prunes” us and encourages us to bear more fruit for His glory. The more we abide in Christ, the more fruit we’ll bear, and the more fruit produced, then the more the Father prunes us so that the quality keeps up with the quantity. We are motivated by Jesus’ love and Jesus had great joy in pleasing His Father.
One primary command Jesus gave to believers was that they must have love for each other (v. 17). Love one another is a command, not an option. Christians will grow by caring and nurturing one another. Christian love is not basically a feeling. It is an act of the will. The proof of our love is not in our feelings, but in our actions.
Oswald Sanders once stated, “We are as close to God as we choose to be. If we are His friend, we ought to be listening to His Word, enjoying His intimacy, and obeying His commandments.”
Application
Is there someone whom I can show that I love and care about? Is there a shut-in whom I could visit or a missionary I could write to? Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
John 15:12-17 (English Standard Version)
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