Obeyers of Sheep

In John 14:23, Jesus made a very curious statement. It is not so much what he said that was curious, but what people think he said when they read or hear it.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Jesus did NOT say that if you obey him, God will move in with you. The word “keep” means to watch, as in, "Abel was a keeper of sheep."

Some Bibles even translate it “obey.” But that isn’t what it really means.

Have you ever heard anyone say, “Oh, he’s out in the field, obeying his sheep”? Or, "He's very good at obeying secrets"? Or, "Take this, and obey it safe for me"?

Jesus said, “If a man loves me, he will watch - focus his attention on - my words. He that does not focus his attention on my words, does not love me.”

That changes things.

And it means the difference between making the rapture - and missing it.

You can obey all Jesus’ “rules” - go to church, give in the offering, pray over each meal, etc, - and focus none of your attention on his words. Ever.

(You can’t really obey all his commands without watching his words, since watching his words is one of his commands. But you get the idea. Do you love him, or do you love your favorite TV show? Sport? Money opportunity? Son or Daughter? Where does your attention go?)

But what does this mean, “Watch his word?”

Paul describes it differently to Timothy. “Study to show yourself approved a workman that needs not be ashamed,” (2 Timothy 2:15).

What is a workman that needs to be ashamed?

When they pray, God doesn’t answer. How embarrassing. How shaming. (In John 5:36, Jesus said that the miracles he worked were God’s witness that he was a workman sent from God. When God dwells with you, answered prayers follow you.)

You study his word. You keep it before your eyes, and in your mouth. You make his word the desire of your heart.

Then, obeying his word is second nature, not just a cheap copy that will be left standing on the ground when the Lord gathers his own to himself.

“If a man loves me, he will tend my word.”

Copyright © 2012 Burley Ward. All rights reserved