What’s This Song About Daddy?

John 15:1-17

(The first of two devotionals on this passage.)

 

When my daughter was about eight years old we had a conversation one day while driving in the car. The radio was on and she asked what the song was about. I told her, ‘It was about love’. The next song came on and she asked the same question. I gave her the same answer. Love is always a popular topic for songs. But what does it mean?

 

People say that they love the Buckeyes. Because of that, they spend hundreds, if not
thousands, of dollars on season tickets, tail gating, bowl games, clothing and memorabilia. Not to mention, hours watching the game and then hours talking about the game afterwards. Is that love?

 

Jesus gave us a standard, or measuring stick if you will, for love in today’s passage.

 

“I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me.”           John 15:12-14 Living Bible

 

Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor. In his parable of the Good Samaritan, he taught us that our neighbor could be someone we really don’t necessarily like. For instance, let’s say that you are a diehard Buckeye fan and you meet a Michigan fan. Is it harder to love that person than a fellow Buckeye?

 

What about someone who breaks into your house? Could you love them? Or someone who harms a family member? What about that person? How do YOU define your neighbor? The Pharisees had certain rules that wouldn’t allow them to help a Samaritan. Do you?

 

Jesus spoke the above words before the crucifixion so that the disciples didn’t have that perspective to understand what he was saying. But, with the fifty-fifty hindsight that we have, his words have more significance don’t they?

 

As an eight year old, my daughter asked me a very profound question that day. The answer was just as profound. Jesus calls us, actually commands us, to love others like he loved us. I don’t know about you, but the measuring stick for love just got raised significantly higher.