You Want Me to Do WHAT?
Dr. Michael Youssef
John 15:9 is nestled within Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples in the Gospel of John, a profound section where Jesus imparts final teachings and comfort before His crucifixion. In this passage, Jesus speaks about the importance of abiding in His love, just as He abides in the love of the Father. This statement is part of a larger conversation about the vine and branches, emphasizing the essential nature of remaining in communion with Him to bear spiritual fruit.
Jesus’ instruction to remain in His love as He remains in the Father's love reveals the depth of the relationship He offers to His followers. It highlights a love that is not static but dynamic, inviting an active participation in the divine love that Jesus shares with the Father. This call to abide in His love is foundational to understanding the source of life and vitality in the Christian journey.
The invitation to remain in Jesus' love holds a compelling message for navigating the complexities and challenges of life. It suggests that the sustenance and strength needed to flourish spiritually are found in the constancy and intimacy of Jesus' love. This enduring connection is what empowers believers to reflect that love in their relationships and circumstances. It challenges to cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, one that shapes every aspect of life. In a world that often values independence and self-reliance, Jesus’ call to remain in His love is a reminder of the transformative power of divine love to guide, sustain, and enrich our lives. It's an encouragement to seek and maintain a closeness with Jesus, allowing His love to be the driving force behind our actions and decisions.
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.