Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him."He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.
When Judas (not Iscariot) is confused and asks Jesus why He would reveal Himself only to those who loved Him and not to the world, Jesus’ answer is interesting. The distinction He draws is simple.
The difference between those who love Jesus and those who don’t is their response to His words. In this passage, it is clear that Jesus has not kept His words away from those who do not love Him. So everyone has Jesus’ words available. But the response is the difference.
One response is to receive (both treasure and obey) Jesus’ words. The Father loves the person who does this. Jesus promises that He and the Father will come to this person and make their home with him. The one who receives Jesus’ words, therefore, receives a relationship with the Father and Son, so Jesus is obviously revealing Himself to this person.
The second response is to reject (neither treasure nor obey) Jesus’ words. Anyone who rejects Jesus’ words is really rejecting the Father’s words. The implications are obvious: this person will not be loved by the Father, whose words he has rejected. The Father and Son will neither come to him nor make their home with him. There is no relationship, so Jesus does not reveal Himself to this person.
Jesus’ words (which are the Father’s words) are the foundation for our relationship with Him. He has opened the door we could not open; He has made a relationship with God possible. Yes, by His death on the cross, but also by His initiative in speaking to us. And our response to His words is of utmost importance. Our response shows whether we want a relationship with God or not. Jesus reveals Himself to those who are willing to listen to Him – not just to other people’s thoughts about Him – to Him.
Father, may we listen to Jesus. To You. May we all receive the relationship You have offered us by Your word.
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