Jesus' teaching in John 14:23-29 calls for believers to keep Jesus' Word and claims that those who do not love Jesus do not keep his words, and the inverse is true as well; those who do not keep Jesus' word do not love Him. In this Gospel reading, the profound theological point is that God's presence imparts peace and love and builds a home for those who abide in God's word. A home for God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
In verse 26, Jesus assures the disciples that the Holy Spirit will remind them of what Jesus had taught; and continue teaching them what they need to learn to continue building God's kingdom. Thus comes the Christian perspective that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, inspires Scripture, not like someone dictating a letter to an assistant but inspired by the Holy Spirit to the spirit of New and Old Testament writers. Jesus takes it to a new level when he says those who love Jesus and keep his word are continually being taught and nourished by God.
If we read John's message without pausing to consider the outcome of not loving Jesus and keeping his word, we may fall short in our understanding. Jesus asks his followers to do more than quote a creed or say a prayer of repentance.
Jesus says, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) home with them."
I take from this reading a call for followers and those who want to be followers of Jesus to be intentional about their relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Three in one, working together as One to help us grow in our faith and understanding of God, our creator, and about ourselves as God's beloved creation.
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