2024.09.06

Posted on by Rev. Dr. Patrick A. Sileo

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

So, what exactly is Jesus’s word? How will he manifest (show, reveal) himself to his disciples?

I think a hint may be in plain sight here. The word in this statement translated as “word” is logos in Greek, and it means more than a series of symbols written on a page to signify a word. Logos is “a word embodying an idea in all of its complex glory,” and that idea shows up in Jesus’s answer, not once but twice: agape (LOVE).

Just a few verses before this (John 13:34-35), in a YaHWeH like moment, Jesus dares to give them a new commandment:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Can it possibly be that simple? When you comprehend what he is actually saying to them (and us), there is absolutely nothing “simple” about it!

Jesus invites us each and every day to commit “LOVE-Mischief” alongside him, for this is sowing God’s love in the world. And the Father loves this!

Leave a comment

Unknown's avatar

Published by Rev. Dr. Patrick A. Sileo

Pat (HitchHiker/Godzilla) is the pastor of Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church of New London, New Hampshire. He is Jenise's (“J”) husband, Peter (Chewbacca) and Nicole's (Baby) dad, Colin's (Schmooze) father-in-law, and Odin’s (Mayhem) personal butler. Pat is and always will be a passionate and bigger than life follower of Jesus Christ who dabbles in many things; you will get a feel when you follow his Search for 42!