Did Jesus really say, “if you love me, you will obey what I command”?

“If you love me you will obey what I command” – John 14: 17

Uh, Jesus, don’t you think that’s a little legalistic? Where’s the grace? This statement seems to be so performance based. Our love for Jesus is measured by the merit badges of obedience we acquire. Can’t we just move on past this rather “Fundy” statement and develop a narrative style theology that focuses on the freedom of grace. Give me Romans 8; give me Ephesians  2:8. So why did our King Jesus say this? Let’s first affirm that we come to God on the merit of Jesus work on the cross. Jesus start’s the section in John with this statement,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. – John 14:1

His words to the disciples is not a admonition to stronger will, deeper resolve to get right. He is taking the opportunity to put their minds at ease about the coming persecution that He will soon suffer and the questions that their minds are swarming with about the meaning of His earthy departure.  He tells that that he’s going to prepare a place. Thomas asks, “how do we get there?” and Jesus says,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

This is even more encouragement. They know the way, because they know Jesus. They have been following the way all along. Trust in Jesus and he will guide you to inherit the kingdom of heaven where we can know the Father. This creates more questions in the disciples. Philip asks  to see the Father right now. Wouldn’t that help the situation? Jesus reminds him that he is one with the Father, and so they’ve known him already.  Besides, Jesus says,

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:14

This verse which is often misunderstood to be a divine credit card for us to acquire all our dreams through magically reciting the name Jesus. Jesus isn’t talking about provision of our physical needs or facing trails (there’s other places in the gospels where Jesus encourages us about those needs) but he is talking here about knowing the Father and knowing the way to follow Jesus through this transition. Jesus’ statement is the promise that we can come to the Father without hesitation through the name of Jesus and through faith in Jesus’ name, we can follow him to the place he’s prepared for us. It’s in the context of this conversation that Jesus says,

“If you love me you will obey what I command” – John 14: 17

This isn’t an ultimatum or a litmus test for salvation. It’s a promise. Don’t worry. Remember, Jesus is the way. Follow him and love him and his promise is that you will be faithful to be able to obey. He’s not going to abandon us or leave us work out obedience all alone and depend on our own strength. Not only that, but he promises to leave us the Spirit of truth, the Counselor to be with us always.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” -John 14:17-18

See, Jesus did say, “you will obey”. But isn’t it much more powerful to know that it’s a promise and not an imperative. I fail to obey God’s commands so many times. Does that mean that I don’t love Jesus? No, it’s just part of being a broken sinner who is in need of the grace of Jesus. I love Jesus exactly for that reason. He is my ransom and my redeemer. I love Jesus, and so the Spirit of truth guides me in the Way to know the Father.