Friday, May 18, 2007
John 16:27 "For the Father Himself loves you"
BROTHERLY LOVE
Perhaps many of you have heard men talk about the Greek words for love and in particular the word "agape", which describes the perfect complete love of the Father. Well, that is not the word that Jesus here chooses, when He says "the Father Himself loves you." Though at other times the Bible does indeed assure us the Father loves (agape) us with that total complete love, yet here Jesus says the Father loves us (phileo) as a friend, or as a brother.
When Octavian, later known as Caesar Augustus, was yet a young man, Julius Caesar took him under his wing and became very close to the young man. Octavian had no legal power at this time but he was nevertheless in a position of great opportunity since he was so close to Julius. Many people seeking the aid of Julius would first seek out Octavian confident that he could persuade Julius. Our Lord Jesus Christ says that we have no need of such an intermediary. The Father himself loves you, that is He considers you a friend. This is what Jesus is stressing here with the use of "phileo" -- not the great love of God which sent His only Son, but the result of that action, namely that we are now at peace with God, we are now God's friends, even brothers, because of what Christ did. And as such we find ourselves in this unique position that we may come before Him directly.
It is certainly foolish of us to make light of such a great opportunity and treat it as thought it were ordinary and common. Perhaps, because we have been taught it from the time that we were little, and have often made use of it, we tend to forget what a special privilege it really is. Every Sunday our pastor reminds us of this in the words, "He gave the right to become the sons of God." We ought to remember how little we deserve this, and treasure this relationship for which Christ gave up His life.
