John 15:12-27 | What's a lesson for the original audience?

Greatness of love is a theme that stands out for the believer. Let's take a look at the words Jesus spoke to His disciples concerning the love that He has for them and they ought to have for one another.

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
-John 15:12-17

Jesus begins with instructing the disciples to love each other with His love. Then He exemplifies what His love looks like. Jesus emptied Himself and humbled Himself low for the sake of His people. He took upon this mortal frame and suffered death. From the life He lived to the death He died and even onward from there, Jesus laid down His life for His friends. Here Jesus is instructing His disciples to walk in that same manner of love. They ought not consider themselves more highly than they ought. Rather, they ought to consider others more highly than themselves.

An interesting note is that Jesus gives a little test of who His friends are. His friends are those who have obeyed His commands. Up to this point in the conversation, two commands have been stressed: believe and walk in love. This continues to be the points that are stressed, but the commands of Jesus are wrapped up in those two major themes. So as they continue to do that, they are the friends of God. As they draw near to Him, He draws near to them.

What lesson are you seeing?