“These things I have spoken to you so that MY JOY (chara: extend favor to, lean towards) MAY BE IN YOU, and that your joy may be made full. “This is My commandment, that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER, JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. “Greater love has no one than this, that one LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. “You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:11-14)
First of all what are “these things” Jesus spoke about? Jesus explained to them that He is the “True Vine” (ampelos: meaning fantastic and extensive (English word “more than ample”) When Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more ABUNDANTLY (perissos: exceeding abundantly above).” (John 10:10) Everything about Jesus being in us and working through us is FANTASTIC, EXTENSIVE AND EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ANYTHING WE COULD EVER IMAGINE!!!
We can hold out our rod and the seas will part, we can take down a 9’6” giant with a sling shot, we can feed thousands of people with our lunch, we can shout and the enemy walls will fall down. Whatever, no matter how impossible it may seem, will NOT be too hard for us to accomplish.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, HE WHO BELIEVES (“I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)) in Me, the works that I do, HE WILL DO ALSO; and GREATER WORKS than these HE WILL DO; because I go to the Father. “Whatever you ask in My name, THAT WILL I DO, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. “If you ask Me ANYTHING IN MY NAME, I WILL DO IT.” (John 14:12-14)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham