John 14:15 English Standard Version (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

A hearty thanks to my best friend for reminding me that Jesus said this also. In yesterday’s offering it was keeping His Word which was logos, the spoken word. Here today just a few short verses prior to John 14:23 we see Jesus asking us to keep His commandments.

Commandments in the Greek here is entolē which means “that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office”. This refers back to the Mosaic Law and the priesthood. Only one who has authority can issue laws. God is the law maker and the priests enacted the rights of atonement. Christ is both.

14:15 came before 14:23 and that is not surprising as God is a God of order. Things that take place first have priority over the actions that follow. 14:15 requires an acknowledgement of authority. We must accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of our life, giving Him the authority over our lives. Then He becomes our Savior.

In 14:23 the word is logos, the spoken word. At the end of that verse Jesus declares that He and the Father will make their home in us. You cannot expect God to move in and not take ownership of the house. All things have been given into His hands. We make Him the Lord of our lives, He moves in, takes ownership and speaks to us in a close personal relationship.

This was the great stumbling block for the traditional Jew. They could not accept that the God of all creation would come and live in sinners. They failed to accept the far reaching effects of the atoning work of the Cross. For them the priesthood and the ritualist offerings was the only atonement they would accept. While they might have been astonished by all that Jesus said and did, they would not accept Him as God and Chief Priest.

He is both.