The Marvelous Blessing Part 1

Dr. Robert P. Martin

“That your joy may be full” (John 15:11)

At 15:9-11, Jesus continues with the subject of abiding in himself; and again he refers his disciples to his own example (cf., 13:34). The train of thought in these verses, as we move from one statement to the next, is such that one grand theme follows closely after another. There is, however, a unity of concern throughout the whole text, in which Jesus traces from its divine and eternal fountainhead a freely flowing blessing that is promised to all who abide in him.

The Divine and Eternal Fountainhead (John 15:9)

“As the Father loved me, I also have loved you”

Long before Jesus the Messiah came, his Father had said through Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights (or, is pleased)”¹ (Isa. 42:1). Matthew, citing this text as fulfilled in Jesus, paraphrases it this way: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased” (Matt. 12:18). The heart of these statements is the same, the differences between them notwithstanding. The Son is the object of the Father’s “delight.” He is his “beloved,” his “chosen one,” in whom his soul is “well pleased.” Twice during Christ’s earthy ministry, direct revelation of his Father’s love for him was expressed from heaven through his Father’s speaking with an audible voice. At his baptism, as he enters upon his public ministry, the Father dramatically confirms his love to him: “You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). And at his transfiguration, as Jesus neared Calvary, the Father again speaks from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 17:5).

Jesus clearly is the object of his Father’s love. He is the special object of his delight and active devotion. And Jesus understands this. He knows this wonderful reality from the experience of his communion with his Father in eternity. And he knows this from his Father’s declarations to him on the occasions of his greatest need. Concerning his knowledge of his Father’s love, we have from his lips the plain statements found in this gospel. “My Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again” (10:17). “Father, I desire that they also whom you gave me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which you have given me; for you loved me before the foundation of the world. . . . And I have declared to them your name, and will declare it, that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them” (17:24-26).

Jesus is very aware that he is the object of his Father’s heartfelt delight and affectionate attachment. And even as genuine love expresses itself in whole-souled, active devotion to its object, so the Father loves his Son in this way. He expresses his love to his Son repeatedly, especially in those seasons when a confirmation of his fatherly delight will be of greatest benefit. The Father also gives him gifts suitable to his station. He gives his Son the Spirit without measure (3:34). He gives him all authority in heaven and earth (5:26-27; 17:2; cf., Matt. 28:18). He takes him into the intimate communion of close and transparent friendship with himself, so that he openly communicates his heart and mind to his Son (1:18; 5:20).

How shall we measure the love of God the Father for his only-begotten Son? Is any scale sufficient? Is not his love eternal in its origin, infinite in its scope, perfect in its virtues–utterly without defect or interruption–always wise, always noble, always giving, always nurturing? Is there any love like it? Yes, there is! Jesus here says that the love with which he loves his disciples is like this. We therefore should regard ourselves not merely as Christ’s disciples and servants but also as his dearest friends. And he expresses his love for us in the ways that his Father has expressed his love for him. He shows us love repeatedly, especially in seasons when a confirmation of his delight will be of greatest benefit to us. And he gives us gifts suitable to our station, e.g., eternal life, the Holy Spirit, a part in his own inheritance, his peace, his joy, and intimate communion with himself (cf., 15:15).

“As the Father loved me, I also have loved you.” Christ’s love for his own is the divine and eternal fountainhead from which flows the blessing promised to all who abide in him. It is a love pattered after the example of the Father’s love for his Son. It is a love that is eternal in its origin, infinite in its scope, perfect in its virtues, without defect or interruption, and that is always wise, noble, giving, and nurturing.

Notes

1. The verb רָצָה may be translated here as “is pleased with.” The LXX translates this with προσδέχομαι so that it reads “has waited for.” Matthew returns to the sense of the Hebrew text, using εὐδοκέω which means “to be well pleased.” Both רָצָה and εὐδοκέω however, have the secondary meaning “to delight in,” so that the delighting of the Father in his Son is to be understood as deriving from his being pleased with his Son, i.e., not just, of course, pleased with his Son’s person but also pleased with his Son’s commitment to his Father’s will and pleased with his obedience to his Father’s commands.