His Presence

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me." John 14:23-24

We have been looking at the connection between love and obedience for the past few weeks. In today's text, we hear Jesus communicating a profound and precious truth about the relationship between love, obedience, and His presence. Jesus makes the following promise to all who trust and obey: "and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him," which is no ordinary promise. It is God's assurance of His unchanging love and presence. The idea of God making His home with us reminds us that our relationship with God is not distant or detached but personal and close. When we love Jesus and keep His words, we invite God Himself to dwell in us.

So, how does this passage apply to us in our everyday lives? It encourages us to reflect on our love for Jesus. Is our love genuine, leading to obedience and transformation? Or is it shallow and stagnant, resulting only in empty words and actions?

Dear Church, let us strive each day to develop a deep love for Jesus that moves us to live out His commandments. As we do, may we experience the unspeakable joy and peace that comes from having the Father and the Son make their home within us.