Breaking the Word

Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, "Master, (then) what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. "I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name — he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you. (Jn 14:21-26)

Like belief in Jesus which is important to know the father and be united with him so also love of Jesus is important. Anyone who loves Jesus loves the father and in return receives all the revelation. Love for Jesus is also important to be loved by the father. Jesus is the link between the father and the followers of Jesus. Knowledge of Jesus, belief in Jesus and love of Jesus are the criterion to be in relationship with the father.

How do we know that one has love for Jesus? It is only through keeping the words of Jesus. Keeping his words and observing his commandments are again criterion to know that one loves Jesus. When one loves Jesus then he is loved by the father and both the father and the son come and dwell in him. God’s indwelling in a person is only when that person has love for Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will be sent by the father and he will come and teach all that necessary for a life in God. He will not only teach but also will be a constant reminder of the love of Jesus and all what Jesus taught. So the follower need not be preoccupied about how to be in line with Jesus. Holy Spirit will do everything to make the believer follow Jesus.  

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where (I) am going you know the way."  Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. (Jn 14:1-12)

Thomas represents the group of people who follow Jesus yet search for ways. Thomas has been with Jesus for three years (the time of his public ministry) and he walked with him the length and breadth of Galilee and Judea. Jesus has made them follow him. He had an aim (a goal) in all his journeys. His journeys were leading them to Jerusalem and in turn to the Father.

Philip represents the group of people (followers) who see Jesus as the son of God and revealer of God and doer of God’s activities and so on. Yet he has that bit of doubt in him to see God beyond and away from Jesus. Many see Good’s presence (indwelling) in Jesus and yet they long to see God. All the words of Jesus and all the activities of Jesus should make one realize that God in Jesus.

Believers of Jesus will be like Jesus and they will do and live like Jesus. They may even do greater things than Jesus. Belief is what makes the disciple to see that Jesus is the way to the Father and the same belief is what makes the disciple to see God in Jesus. Belief will make the difference.