A study of John 15:12-17 reveals the ultimate demonstration of love for a friend, that Jesus calls us his friends, and the choosing and commissioning of disciples.
A study of John 15:12-17 reveals the ultimate demonstration of love for a friend.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (ESV, John 15:12-13)
Jesus shifts from talking about fruit to demonstrating “love”, which is the Greek word agape. We are to love other disciples like he loves us. And what does Christ’s love look like? It is not a passive feeling but a positive action. Holy, costly, initiating, and sacrificial. Because agape is not an expression of feelings but loving acts in willful obedience. Agape seeks another person’s good, not based on their desires, but according to the truth of God’s word. It is, most importantly, spiritual and includes repentance, faith, and holiness. Even at times, godly correction.
Jesus loves us when we don’t deserve it. And in the unfolding days he would demonstrate it by sacrificing his life to redeem the world. Agape seeks another person’s good, not based on their desires, but according to the truth of God’s word. It is, most importantly, spiritual and includes repentance, faith, and holiness. Even at times, godly correction.
What does it mean to love like Jesus?
Jesus didn’t suggest his disciples imitate his love. He commanded it. But it is not the natural response of a sinful heart. Rather, it is supernatural and flows from a heart that abides in Christ. Why is this important? Because Christ’s love among disciples is the most visible witness of his presence to non-believers.
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (ESV, John 13:34-35)
Furthermore, the demonstration of Christ’s love is a foundational truth supported by the rest of scripture.
Jesus declared, ‘‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (ESV, Matthew 22:37-40)
A study of John 15:12-17 reveals that Jesus calls us friends.
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (ESV, John 15:15)
The Greek word for “servant” is dŏulŏs, which means slave, servant, and bond. It designates a position of subjection or subservience. The Greek word for “friend” is philŏs, which means friend, fond, associate, and neighbor. And commonly describes platonic relationships. Although it’s not the first time friendship with God is presented. Both Abraham and Moses are called friends of God in Exodus 33:11, 2 Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8, and James 2:23.
God is not our buddy.
The friendship Jesus talks about is not the same as we view it today. We see friends as equals. But even though Moses and Abraham are called God’s friends, they’re also called his servants in Exodus 14:31, Numbers 12:7, and Genesis 18:3 & 5. Furthermore, Abraham demonstrates his servant’s heart when he entertains three visitors from God in Genesis 18:8. He prepares and serves them a meal, and then stands and serves them while they eat.
In V.14, Jesus calls his disciples friends with a condition. If you do what I command. Nor does it mean friendship replaces serving. Instead, Jesus distinguishes between a servant who simply carries out instructions and one who is entrusted with his master’s confidence. The disciples are friends because Jesus makes known to them what he has heard from the father.
In other words, a servant identifies our position before a sovereign God–one who belongs to him, humbly obeys, and carries out his will. And a friend identifies our covenant fellowship–God graciously reveals himself and his purposes to us as we serve his Kingdom.
A study of John 15:12-17 reveals the choosing and commissioning of disciples.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (ESV, John 15:16)
Jesus reminds the disciples that he chose and appointed them. The Greek word for “chose” is eklegomai, which means to choose or select. And the Greek word for “appointed” is tithēmi, which means to appoint, commit, ordain, purpose, and set forth. Jesus chose them, discipled them, and commissioned them to carry forward his ministry when he’s gone.
The idea of God choosing us is not new.
God chose individuals for particular offices and tasks. For example, Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets were all chosen by God for special purposes. And the Apostle Paul teaches that believers were chosen in him before creation with the purpose to be holy, blameless, and adopted into sonship.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. (ESV, Ephesians 1:4-5)
In a similar fashion, Jesus chose them as disciples and commissioned them as apostles. And now he appoints them to bear abiding fruit. As his disciples today, we share in the purpose to bear abiding fruit. In order to receive what we ask for in his name.
Verse 17 returns to the central point: The command to love one another. It reinforces the truth that God’s people are not unified by ideology, common practices, or shared traditions. But through our union with the crucified and risen Lord. His choosing us should produce humility, his appointment faithful service, his word abiding fruit, and his love produce our love for his people.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author, and blogger who publishes Christian non-fiction and fiction books, humorous drama, and scripturally centered, thought-provoking blog posts from a Christian worldview. To learn more visit: www.chiptudor.com.
Is your Church small group tethered to Sermon-based study guides?
Break free with this one! Teaching content is built into the daily studies and a weekly study guide equips small group leaders for engaging group discussions. Dive deep into scripture but with practical application.
Click Here to view on Amazon
