John 15:12-17 This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.… I. HAS THE HIGHEST MODEL. "As I have loved you." How did Christ love? — 1. Disinterestedly. There was not a taint of selfishness in His love. He looked for no compensation, no advantage. 2. Earnestly. It was an all-pervading, all-commanding passion. It was a zeal consuming Him. 3. Practically. It was not a love that slept as an emotion in the heart, that expended itself in words and professions; it was a love that worked all the faculties to the utmost, and led Him to the sacrifice of Himself. This is the kind of love we should have one toward another. This is the brotherly love that — (1) Unites Christ's disciples together. (2) Honours Christ. (3) Blesses the world with the most beneficient influences. II. FORMS THE HIGHEST FRIENDSHIP. "Ye are My friends," etc. 1. It not only establishes a friendship, but a friendship between them and Christ. A true friendship between man and man is the greatest blessing on earth. 2. A friendship between man and Christ is the consummation of man's well being. If Christ is my friend what want I more? III. HAS THE HIGHEST SOURCE. "Ye have not chosen Me," etc. We did not choose to love Christ first, but He chose to love us. His love to us generates our love to Him. He chose His first disciples from their worldly avocations and called them into His circle; this inspired them with His love. Men will never love one another properly until Christ sheds abroad His love in their hearts. He is to all His disciples what the sun is to the planets; around Him they revolve and from Him derive their life and unity. They are united one to another by the bonds that unite them to Christ. IV. REALISES THE HIGHEST GOOD. 1. Spiritual fruitfulness. "Ordained you," appointed you, "that ye bring forth fruit." The fruit involves two things — (1) The highest excellence of character. (2) The highest usefulness of life. Rendering others the highest service. 2. Successful prayer. "Whatsoever ye shall ask," etc. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.WEB: "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. |
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