John 15:9-11 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love.… I. IS LIKE THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS FOR HIM. No being in the universe is so dear to the Infinite heart as Christ; yet — 1. As really as the Father loved Him He loves us. The reality of the Father's love for Him was a grand reality attested by His own consciousnesss. He could not doubt it. It was proved to Him in a thousand ways, in every faculty and fact of His life. But not less really did He love His disciples. His love for them was a mighty, ever operating force within Him. 2. As disinterestedly. The Father's love for Christ was absolutely and spontaneously unselfish, so was Christ's love for His disciples. There was nothing in them to merit His affection, nothing in them to render Him more glorious or more happy. II. IS PERPETUATED BY OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS. "If ye keep My commandments," etc. How does Christ retain the love of His Father? By working out His will. It would seem as if the Father's love, great though it be, would wane and die if the Son ceased to obey. So with Christ's love towards His disciples. Its continuance depends upon a practical fulfilment of His will. It seems almost a law of mind that love must work to live. If it remain in the mind merely as a sentiment or emotion, it will perish. The mother's love is kept alive by working for her children. When the work ceases the maternal affection wanes. If we would keep the love of Christ strong in the heart we must keep His commandments. No emotion of the soul will strike root, live and grow, except as it is translated into acts. Love only lives in deeds. III. YEARNS TO MAKE ITS OBJECTS HAPPY (ver. 11). It is the essence of love to glow with desires for the happiness of its object. See this in the unwearied services of parents, and in the countless efforts of genuine philanthropy. In Christ's love for man this desire is unquenchable and ever operating. To make men happy was the grand object of His advent to earth. "I am come that ye might have life." "He came to heal the broken-hearted," etc. Christ wishes His disciples not only to be happy, but to be full of happiness. "That your joy may be full." All saddening emotions are foreign to Christliness. Christliness is sunshine, music, rapture. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.WEB: Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. |
    |