What a cold, grey day it is today. I regretted not wearing my woolly mittens on the school run this morning but was grateful for my new bobble hat on my head. It was one of those spontaneous purchases – a sudden impulsive need for a yellow hat, so I ordered it online. When it arrived, as is the hazard with online shopping, it was somewhat brighter than I had expected and I was suddenly rather insecure about wearing it. Colour is a funny thing isn’t it? It communicates. I noticed a few years back when I was going through a tough time that my entire wardrobe was grey and black. Thankfully I’m not in that season any more – but am I really ready to wear a bright yellow hat??
Different colours hold different meanings for us don’t they? Red might be a warning, Green makes us think of growth and life and nature, Blue reminds of us the huge sky so it might symbolise heaven or eternity… I could go on.
This page from John is so full of colour. It’s one of those passages in the bible that is like super-condensed truth, so much to chew on like a theological banquet. Jesus is getting ready to leave His disciples and so He is giving them what they need to know to be all He has called them to be – even when He is no longer with them physically.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9
The first thing He wanted them to know is that they are loved completely, utterly – as entirely as the Father has loved Jesus so has Jesus loved them, loved us. The first fundamental truth they need to grasp is that they are loved and it is out of that unconditional, unfailing, unending love that they are then called to love each other.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
When I asked my kids what colour they felt best represented love the general mood was pink or red – maybe the colour of love hearts on valentines? Jesus goes on to explain that the ultimate expression of love is laying down your life for your friends – and that was what He was about to do – to spill His own, red blood for them, for us.
It is also important that the disciples understand they don’t belong to God’s kingdom because of their own effort, cleverness, gifting or decisions but because God first chose them. Their impressiveness may wax and wane, their choices may sometimes be good ones, sometimes foolish. The fact they chose to follow Jesus at all is because they were chosen, we were chosen, before the foundation of the world.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16
Jesus also wants them to know, to be prepared for the fact that as well as being loved they would be hated.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19
Being loved and chosen sounds great doesn’t it? But being hated…. we would like to think that everyone would be happy to hear the good news and be thankful when we love them – but Jesus wants His followers to be prepared for the fact that there is a cost to following Him. They would be persecuted, rejected and abused because of Him. They will, we will sometimes be hated.
Being chosen out of and hated by the world (maybe green and blue like the globe seen from space?) means that the disciples are going to need help. And this is where Jesus gives them an incredible promise;
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13
I love that Jesus doesn’t leave His friends alone but that He sends the Spirit of Truth as their helper. He promises that it is better for them, for us, that He goes so that the Holy Spirit can come and do His incredible work of convicting the world of sin, bringing revelation of righteousness and proclaiming Jesus’ victory over sin and death. He is the Spirit of truth who leads us into all truth and shows us what is to come. Our colour survey was split on this one; some said blue like the sky others said white like a dove. Either way I’m grateful for the Helper who brings truth and assurance and colour to my life everyday.
Last but not least Jesus speaks about Joy – and colour-wise we were unanimously yellow.
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11
“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
What a brillaint passage to chew on this first week of a new year. Jesus promises to fill His friends full with Joy because of these things He has spoken to them, to us. And what an encouragement to start our new year with prayer – asking in His name, knowing we will recieve and our Joy will be complete.
So much beautiful vibrant truth on a cold grey day! We are loved and called to love. We are chosen out of the world to bear lasting fruit. Even when it costs us, we are guided into truth and promised complete Joy! Thanks for reading friends. I’m praying you know His incredible colour in your life this year. Much love Rach. x
