John 14:22-23

In our verses for today we see John carefully distinguishing between the Judas’ – two of Christ’s disciples bearing the same name. One was the traitor and the other the brother of James – a very bad man and a very good man – the apostate and the apostle. It is important when reading Scripture not to confuse the precious with the vile. Interestingly, the apostle Judas appears here humble, amazed and a bit confounded over the design of divine grace. Why on earth, he mused, did the disciples alone deserve such great favor?

Next our Lord clarifies His Word for His guys – the promise of the glorious manifestation of Jesus and His Father would not be just for them alone but rather for “anyone” who would love Him and in turn demonstrate that love by obedience to His teaching. John 3:16 clearly comes to mind:

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18 (NIV)

God does not delight in the condemnation of anyone. His desire would be for none to perish. Ezekiel tells us:

23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? Ezek 18:23 (NIV)

Paul adding in 1Timothy:

1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:1-4 (NIV)

It is God’s desire for all men to come to knowledge of the Truth through a loving relationship with the Lord Jesus who is Truth. Yet sadly, many staunchly choose to refuse His Hand. Turning from the free and glorious offer of salvation so lovingly held out to them. Going our own way, stomping our feet, stopping up our ears and blindly treading down the path of damnation we turn our backs on the offer of love to save our souls. The world, the weakness of the flesh and Satan all prove powerful foes against humanities embracing of the Truth. We are constantly bombarded and indoctrinated by untruths which we must learn to filter through the sieve of God’s Word. No matter how enticing or palatable something may sound, if it brings God no glory then He is not in it. Remember the One who gives the power gets the glory and we are the most satisfied when He is the most glorified in and through our lives. Discernment is the key to rightly dividing worldly wisdom from Godly wisdom. It is our responsibility to know what we believe and why we believe it. It is no wonder Paul writes the following:

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Cor 11:13-15 (NIV)

Remember whitewashed tombs may appear righteous but inside they are filled with death and decay. Certainly this must have been why Peter gives us the following warning:

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

“The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this, and could not contradict him, but they sneered at him. Let us consider this as their sin, and the fruit of their covetousness, which was their primary sin. Many who make a great profession of religion and abound in the exercise of devotion, are yet ruined by the love of the world. These covetous Pharisees could not bear to have that touched, which was their Delilah, their darling lust; for this they derided him, they turned up their noses at him, or blew their noses on him. It is an expression of the utmost scorn and disdain imaginable. They laughed at him for going so contrary to the opinion and way of the world. It is common for those to make a joke of the word of God who are resolved that they will not be ruled by it.” Matthew Henry

Lastly, we must look at the ones whom Christ accepts as lovers of Him – those who both have and obey His commands. We must not only have His commands in our heads (the Pharisees), they must also be rooted in our hearts and lives (the Disciples). The surest evidence of our love for the Lord is to be found in our obedience to the laws of Christ. In return for our obedience we have the blessed assurance of both the Father’s love and the Son’s love to be poured out upon us as well as the promise that our hearts will be their home. Surely, the more we have of Him, the more we want of Him. Paul writes to the Philippians:

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:10-14 (NIV)