Why Jesus?…

In his own words (part 12)

To understand what Jesus meant by his disciples being his friends, the clue he gave them was to “Love one another as I have loved you,” John 13:34. In other words, be the kind of friends to each other that he’d been to them, and then they’d understand. 

Which involved them doing two things: first of all, laying down their lives for each other, just as Jesus had done (and would do) for them (John 15:13). And secondly, sharing everything they were learning with each other, just as Jesus had been doing with them (verse 15). Taking into account what Jesus said in John 13:15, that “I’ve set you an example for you to do as I have done.” 

But why did Jesus do those two things, and why do we need to as well? Because in us “bearing fruit” in those two things too, “Then,” Jesus said in John 15:16, “the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” 

Which is why Jesus added in verse 17, “This is my command: Love each other,” because in loving each other in the two things he did to love us, it opens up this amazing relationship with the Father, where he personally takes it upon himself to answer what we ask for. And so does Jesus, because in John 14:14 healsotold his disciples, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  

I see. So, if I lay down my life and share my life like Jesus did, the Father and Jesus become very real to me – I can talk to them and they “talk” back. Which is wonderful, but practically speaking: “WHAT can I ask for that both the Father and Jesus would happily answer?” – and “HOW do I lay down my life and share my life like Jesus did to open up this two way conversation with him and his Father in the first place?” 

Well, why not ask them how? Surely they’d answer such a request, because if we get good at laying down our lives for our fellow disciples and sharing what we’re learning with each other, we’re following Jesus’ example. And if following his example is what we want to do, then surely both the Father and Jesus would happily answer our requests to help us get good at it – or “bear much fruit,” as Jesus phrased it (15:5). 

Practically speaking, though, in what ways can we “lay down our lives” for each other?…(continues Monday)