Why Can’t I Go with You?
February 2, 2015
Truett Williams, Associate Pastor | Student Ministry
In verse 35, Jesus states that loving one another is vital
for ministry, life, service and relationships. Loving others for the purpose of
pointing them to Jesus is necessary for upper room living to exist. After being
given the new commandment to love others Peter becomes consumed with physically
following Jesus and understanding why He couldn’t do so. At first glance, this
seems like an honorable thing to do, but Peter missed the implications of
Jesus’ words. Jesus was preparing the Peter for his eventual ascension and the
pouring out of his Spirit. Peter was commanded to stay on earth for the purpose
of loving others in such a way that would point to the divine and abundant love
of Jesus. Peter failed to understand that it didn’t matter where Jesus was
going as much as it mattered that Peter live out the command to sacrificially
love others.
Jesus made it clear that Peter would one day follow him
afterwards. In a similar sense, we too will follow Jesus afterward in that all
will die and come face to face with Jesus. Therefore, the reason the Church did
not ascend into heaven upon salvation and the purpose for our existence on
earth is to exhaust ourselves with loving others so that they might see and
savor the love of Jesus. We are left here on earth to love others so that they
will gladly bow the knee in eternity.
TWEET THIS: The
purpose of our existence is to “love one another.” How can you exhaust yourself
with loving others today? #UpperRoom
