Our Father’s Love for Us

In Jesus’ farewell discourse, recorded in John 14–16, our Lord prepared His eleven disciples for His departure from them. It was the night in which He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. A long day became a long night, in which sorrow turned to fear of man for Jesus’ disciples.

Central to His teaching was the promise of the Holy Spirit, who would be sent from the Father and the Son (Jn 14:26; 15:26). The Spirit would take up permanent residence in each disciple from the Day of Pentecost forward. This work of the Spirit continues, today.

Communication was critical, too. The disciples needed to know how to pray when Jesus physical presence was no longer available for them. So, the key was to understand their relationship to the Trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were all very accessible. Prayer was the point of access.

In John 16:25–28, the Teacher explained how the teaching would change when the Holy Spirit took over that task. Jesus had taught His disciples using figurative language. He taught the people in proverbs and parables. At times, He added explanation in “plain language.” The hour was coming when figurative language would be replaced with clear communication by the Spirit of Christ indwelling them post-Pentecost.

The subject would not change. Jesus had shown them God the Father; and He would continue to teach them the Father, albeit, through the Holy Spirit teaching them Christ. Simply put, the matter for the Christian is knowing God.

In the New Testament era, the indwelling Spirit is our Teacher of the Scriptures. The Scriptures, the Holy Bible, were brought forth by the same Spirit (2 Peter 1:20–21), who moved certain men along to write the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16). So, it is the Spirit, who inspired the Bible, who, today, illumines our understanding of it (Eph 1:18; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21).

By learning the Bible, we learn that all Scripture is revealing the Son of God, Jesus Messiah, the Holy One of God. In seeking Jesus, we learn from His Person and work that He was the full revelation of God. The incarnation of the eternal Son of God granted the disciples a view to the Father (Jn 1:14; 14:9). In this, we marvel at the unity of the Triune God.

Jesus had already explained that the disciples’ prayers would be addressed to God the Father. The disciples’ approach to Yahweh was to be through the mediation of Jesus (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 9:15; 12:24). All who pray to God must come to Him in the name of Jesus, who ever lives to make intercession for us (Is 53:12; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25).

It may appear in verse 26 that Jesus is contradicting this fact of His priesthood; however, His point is that regardless of His mediation and intercession…God loves His chosen people. Yes, Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant. Yes, Jesus intercedes for us. His point has been to show His disciples His Father and their Father and His climactic point is that “the Father Himself loves you” (Jn 16:27).

The love of God the Father for His elect goes back to the love He had for His beloved when He predestined us to adoption as sons before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4–5). He again demonstrated His love in sending His only begotten Son (Jn 3:16), our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Is 7:14; Mt 1:23). Truly, God loved us before we loved Him (1 Jn 4:19).

God’s love never fails to accomplish God’s purposes (1 Cor 13:8). In drawing the elect to Christ, His love is irresistible (Jn 6:37, 44, 65). It is more wise and powerful, as an allure, than anything or anyone else. If God sets His love upon a person, they will believe in Jesus Christ. Only those who have received the Spirit of Christ, by the will of God (Jn 1:12–13), love and trust the One who was sent from the Father (Jn 16:28).

Christians loved by God and filled with the Holy Spirit confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God enfleshed (Jn 1:14). He came forth from God the Father in heaven. He came into the world, lived as one who is fully man, yet without sin (Heb 4:15).

Jesus fulfilled the Law of God and met the standard of righteousness (Mt 5:17). He was qualified to be the Lamb of God who took our sins upon Himself at the cross (Jn 1:29; 2 Cor 5:21). He died in our place and cancelled our debt of sin (Col 2:14). He released us from our sins, by shedding His precious blood for our forgiveness (Eph 1:7; Rev 1:4–5). He loved us and gave Himself for us (Eph 5:2).

Following His life, death, burial, resurrection, and public witness, Jesus left this world and returned to God the Father in heaven. Jesus had already promised that He was leaving to go and prepare a place for His disciples. God’s elect from every nation, tribe, and tongue. He was going to the Father (Jn 14:2–3).

We believe Jesus was sent from heaven; we believe He returned there, and that He is coming again to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5). This is the plain language of the New Testament. There are no longer any dark sayings, rather it is all light. Holy writ is clear; and this is what the Spirit says to the churches.

We are loved by the thrice Holy God. We are disciplined because we are loved (Heb 12:4–11); and we cry out the one who adopted us unto His family (Rom 8:15, 23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:4–5). He loved us with His perfect love; and that love is what compels us to love Him back (2 Cor 5:14), along with loving our neighbors as ourselves (Lev 19:18; Mt 5:43; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8).

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

September 16, 2024

John 16:25–28