John 14:21 – Intimate Relationship

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:21)

Doesn’t God love the whole world? Yes, he does! But Jesus promises us a deeper, more intimate love from the Father when we show Jesus we love him. We’re like one big happy family full of love. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Context (John 14:15-26): These are Jesus’ words telling his disciples and us about the promised helper, the Holy Spirit he’s going to send them. Jesus openly acknowledges that his followers are set apart and will receive special treatment from God for their obedience. The relationship between Jesus and his followers is intimate and personal. This promise from Jesus is for all who love him.

By acting in God-honoring ways in obedience to Christ, we show how our love for Jesus is active. Our actions in the day-to-day reflect our characters. When obeying Jesus, we are better ambassadors representing Jesus well.

God loves his whole creation, but those who don’t acknowledge him miss out on the Holy Spirit and the intimate love of the Father. Like the difference between an acquaintance and a friend you trust your life with, so it is with those who don’t know God and those who do.

In our day and age, people focus so much on self and personal rights. Little room is left for Jesus or how he would have us behave. Being obedient to Christ is the last thing on some people’s minds, or worse yet, they think their behaviors would be Christ-approved.

I’ve been guilty of misunderstanding the truth of scripture back when the Holy Spirit hadn’t revealed truth, so I didn’t understand what God’s word said. Each time I read God’s word, I’m convicted in new ways with new understanding. I hope you have the same experience.

It’s when we experience this life-changing God moment or simply receive a change in thought and deed, as if we had been upgraded or something. Everybody’s encounter with God is different—that’s what makes the intimacy so special. God knows exactly how to speak to our hearts. That message probably looks different for each of us.

It all starts with our obedience to Christ. Jesus is spot on to expect that of us, don’t you think? It’s the least we can do when you think of the sacrifice and pain Jesus endured for us so that we’d have such freedoms.

The bondage of sin and death has been released for us in Jesus’ name. His grace has set us free. That’s how Jesus displays his side of this intimate relationship. What a blessing to have such attention reserved for us!

That Jesus reveals himself to us is such a privilege. He wants us to know him. The disciples already knew him up close and personal. He wanted to continue the relationship he had with them. Now, as his disciples all these years later, he wants a relationship with us, too, an intimate one.

Let’s pray. Lord, your love for us is never-ending. I am so grateful to be among the ones you reveal yourself to. Help me to be obedient and pay attention to what your words ask of us. Thank you for all your promises that sustain us in times of adversity. My heart is overflowing with how you bless me each day. I am filled with joy because you are in my life, lighting the path before me. Help me to be ready to share your love with others. Strengthen me and draw me close. In Jesus’ name. Amen.