57. Remain in his love.

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."(John 15:9) Though the Lord had loved all his disciples, John was his beloved (John 3:23), probably because he was the youngest. Jesus' love had a profound impact on him and he was nicknamed the 'Apostle of love' because he spoke and wrote more about love, than the rest of the Apostles.The ancient writer Jerome tells of the frail Apostle John, in extremely old age, being carried to the congregation in Ephesus mumbling, "Love one another". When asked why he talked of nothing else, he replied, "Because it is the Lord's command and if only this is done, it is enough." Love alone is the true hallmark of a disciple that the world recognises as being genuine. "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."(John 13:34-35) Paul couldn't be more honest when he said: "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fanthom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing!' (1 Corinthians 13:6) Without love, we are fruitless and are in the danger of being cut and thrown into the fire. (John 15:2,6) What must we do to remain in his love? "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love... My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:10-12) Amen.