Today we continue our conversation through the book of John, and he is working towards his objective:

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

Belief. What is it if it is forced? Coerced? Manipulated? Shamed? Threatened?

Today’s conversation is on obedience, and we’ll talk a lot about how it’s a choice on the part of the one obeying, not a forced thing from the one asking for it, which might be a really different environment from what you’re used to.

If you’re like me (Zach), maybe obedience is a thing you do just because someone has told you to--parents, teachers, faith leaders, etc. But robotic, militant Christianity is so far from the life Jesus invites us to.

As we walk through this section, chapters 14-17, there are recurring themes that are building importance and perspective. So far in this section, Jesus has said: You know the way to where I am going (I am the way, the truth, and the life); and you are not going to be abandoned (the Spirit will be with you).

The themes that come out in this section are not autonomous, stand-alone ideas, but are tied into one being. Last week as we talked about not being abandoned and the Holy Spirit, it is directly connected with our conversation today.

“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)

Oh boy, we could take this out of context and end up in a place that Jesus was not intending! Before we jump into this we are going to build some perspective through conversation. This first question is going to take us through a few different situations in order to bring perspective.

Obedience sounds pretty simple; it’s defined as “compliance with an order.” So disobedience is not complying… Actually, it’s pretty complicated. Let’s process the complexity of obedience. Let me put two extremes on the table and then give you a moment to work through this.

First, obedience because of threat of physical bodily harm: A direction was given. Along with that direction comes a threat of physical bodily harm. Compliance is given in order to avoid physical bodily harm. This is obedience.

Now another extreme, obedience without even being asked: Direction was not even given; a call or a request was never spoken. But because of understanding, desire, relationship, and/or conscientiousness, compliance happened.

I am going to give you some time to work together to talk through different reasons people comply and are obedient.

Make a list of reasons people comply and are obedient.

There are infinite reasons for obedience:  trust, understanding, perspective, relationship, submission, fear, guilt, spite… Now we have to process this. We know the definition of obedience, compliance with an order.

Obedience can be embraced, loved, followed through. Or obedience can be hated, fought, followed through. It is all obedience--by definition. But process this:

What are the short-term and long-term costs of obedience done reluctantly, begrudgingly or out of fear?

Today we focus on Jesus’ words:

“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)

Remember where we are at in the story. As we have walked through the narrative as John has told it, we have seen this building of relationship between Jesus and the disciples. We have seen the exciting, the complicated, the scary, and the difficult. We are in a moment of complexity, confusion, and anxiety.

And in it all, we have seen the depth of relationship between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus has expressed His love and commitment to the disciples in washing their feet. He has commended their knowing Him. He has encouraged them in that knowing Him is the way, the truth and the light.

And in this depth of relationship--this is such an important reminder; we can’t miss this--it’s in this depth of deep, meaningful, focused, real relationship:

“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)

Jesus is saying, you love Me; follow My teachings. You love Me; do what I have been telling you. You love Me; do what I have been doing. Life is getting complicated and will continue to be so, but don’t forget all you have seen and heard and done. If you love Me--keep remembering.

So let's dig into some conversation about these concepts. 

We can culturally have lots of negative views of the ideas of command and submission, and some pushback to commands and obedience. We can have some internal pushback to being told what to do. But think about a person you care deeply for and/or respect a great deal. How does their relationship with you change your perspectives on being told to do something?

Imagine the person you respect most in life inviting you to submit or “obey,” and you know they’re going to be with you through it all, even some things that aren’t fun. How is that different from having someone you don’t know or respect asking you the same things?

Because as Jesus gives His followers commands, He does so as a close friend, someone these disciples had spent every day with for three years, not as a disconnected authority.

How does relationship affect obedience?

Submission or obedience is something that is required for almost everything beneficial in life: relationships, work, learning, health. All of these things require submission to someone or something.

In a relationship, mutual submission is required. There are times where the other person leads and other times where you lead. Work would never get done if one did not submit themselves to their boss, coworkers, customers, etc. Submitting yourself to the schooling process is how learning happens. A healthy life often requires submitting to a diet or workout program, maybe a trainer or doctor. 

What are some of the consequences of avoiding submission or obedience?

Jesus says to His disciples:

“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)

Keep My commands? What is that all about? Well, we have to remember context. Jesus just got done giving a new command to His disciples:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-34)

Jesus is saying, if you love Me, love one another.

In this, Jesus focuses on what we looked at last week. As you do this (love one another), you will not be abandoned. The Holy Spirit will be with you.

We asked the question last week: What do you need from God? Well, the Holy Spirit is present to give it, be it, share it. But in this relationship, Jesus says it again:

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)

Anyone who loves Me will love others. And then Jesus says it in the negative:

“Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:24)

If you do not love Me, there is space to not love others.

This whole section that we are in, in John, is repeatedly bringing up obedience. Remember, John uses repetition to bring emphasis.

All of these directives are things that, at face value, we might paint into black and white and turn into a checklist: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in Me as you believe in God. You know the way to where I am going. Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me--or at least believe my work. Keep My commands. Obey My teaching. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

These thoughts bring me to a few other moments in Scripture about obedience:

1 Samuel 15:1-25 - God desires obedience, not sacrifice

Matthew 21:28-32 - The parable of the two sons

James 1:22-25 - Do not merely listen, but be doers

With these passages and our earlier conversations in our minds:

What does living out Jesus’ command look like for you?

A lot of this conversation and concept comes down to, “Is God trustworthy?” and “Does God view me as trustworthy?”

If we don’t trust God or see ourselves as trustworthy, it’s a lot easier to operate out of fear. We can still “fulfill the law,” we can still act in ways that look good, but they’re forced or out of a wrong motive.

I don’t want my kids to obey me because they’re afraid of me. I want them to obey because they trust me. If they’re just afraid of me, I’d rather them not obey me. 

And of course where this breaks down is moments like when my kids are playing in the road. Again. Or imagining the moment where they’re not paying attention and they’re about to get hit by a car. Of course I’d rather have them obey in that moment, even if they have a moment of fear of me because I see what’s going on and I yell frantically and run at them to get them out of the way.

But the idea is, I would rather have them trust me and not play in the street because they know it can be dangerous and are afraid of getting hit by a vehicle, rather than not playing in the street because they’re afraid of how I’m going to react to them playing in the street.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

When Jesus says, “if you love Me, obey My commands,” He’s probably not referring to just the commandment to love one another as He has loved them, but it sure feels like that sums it up well.

If I love people as Jesus has loved me, it leaves very little room for selfishness. Because if I’m just loving according to my own standards, I’m probably not loving as Jesus has loved me; I’m probably just loving in the ways that make the most sense to me.

What do you need to see, process and/or be reminded of in order to obey Jesus more fully?

Take It Deeper Questions

• Read John 14:15-31
• What are some buttons that cause you to rebel?
• What are some common things people think Jesus is calling them to do?
• What are some things you have felt Jesus call you to do?
• What are some common barriers that stop people from living out what God is calling them to do? What are barriers for you?
• If you love me (Jesus) follow my commands (love others). How are you challenged, focused, encouraged and/or confused by this call today?

Bible Reading Plan

• Leviticus 15
• Leviticus 16
• Leviticus 17
• John 1
• John 2
• John 3