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Commentaries
English
John
  
2. Our abiding in the Father's fellowship appears in mutual love
(John 15:9-17)
9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love."


The Father so loved the Son that he divided the heavens during his baptism at Jordan. The Holy spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice was heard, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased." This announcement of the Holy Trinity, when Jesus bore mankind’s sin under the sign of baptism, was the starting point of the Lamb of God on his path to sacrifice. The Son carried out his Father’s will, emptying himself for our redemption. That love is not limited to Father and Son, but they are together united in love for this wicked world, preparing for the grand redemption.
Jesus loves us in the measure of his Father’s love. Whereas he was obedient, we are not. Not one of us was begotten from eternity before the ages. What took place is that the Son chose us sinners and cleansed us. He gave us a second birth of the Spirit and sanctified us. We are not seen as toys in his hand, to be thrown down at will. He thinks of us all day long, caring for us with divine concern. He intercedes for us and writes letters of love to us, in the gospel. He exhorts us to faith, love and hope. If we were to gather all the love poured out by fathers and mothers on earth at all times, and purified that love of all impurities and human corruption, all that would seem small compared to Jesus’ love towards us that never fails.