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In this message, we want to focus on two things:

1. Love
2. Obedience

Both go hand in hand when it comes to loving God and Yeshua, and keeping His commandments.

Many followers are being marginalised, almost criminalised, for keeping God's commandments. Yet it is what Scripture says to do if we love God.

Our starting point is a passage that is rarely preached from the pulpits. When it is preached, it seems as if it is twisted to mean something else than it does. Through proper context, we will see that Yeshua calls believers to follow Him in keeping God's commandments. Even more so, keeping the deeper spiritual application of the Torah which Yeshua preached throughout His ministry.

Obedience follows Love

Some versions translate: "you will keep my commandments"

What this suggests is that Obedience follow Love.

Love for God and Yeshua Messiah leads into obedience to His commandments, His statutes, and His Torah. For Messianic Jews, and Messianic Gentiles.

Which commandments?

The question then must be asked: Which commandments is Yeshua referring to?

Is her referring to the totality of Torah, or only those commandments which He explicitly mentions during His ministry?

Most of Christianity today will say "Only the 2 Commandments", i.e. Love God and Love Your Neighbour. Yeshua never excluded the Torah as nullified.

None of Yeshua's commandments are His

Yeshua tells us unequivocally that His doctrine is not His own, but His Father's^[1]. This makes it clear that everything that is said through Yeshua comes from God, not man. If then the passage reads "...keep my commandments", it would suggest that not only Yeshua's spoken commandments are meant, but all of God's commandments from Genesis onward.

Love is not exclusive to the New Covenant

In both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the B'rit Chadashah (בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה - New Testament/New Covenant), love is the foundation. The Torah is filled with commandments to be charitable to one's neighbour, even to Gentile sojourners. Love is ingrained in Judaism as it is in Christianity. Both find their expression in Messiah.

The Tanakh and the New Testament are profoundly rooted in Love and Law, Mercy and Justice.

Keeping the Law does not nullify the Cross

In John chapters 14 and 15, and much more so in Romans, we see what it means to be grafted into the true vine which is Messiah. It means that we are to produce good fruits, i.e. good deeds in the righteousness of God according to His instructions (Torah).

The Cross brings us to obedience without fear of condemnation because the price for our (continued) sins has already been paid. Disobedience on the other hand would seem to nullify the Cross, if anything.

Love, Obedience, Convenant

In the Tanakh, we see many passages pointing to Love & Obedience. This is not a new concept; rather, it is a concept which Yeshua re-affirms and emphasises. Much like he emphasised the true deeper spiritual application of the Torah^[2].

In this passage, we see that there is a strong connection between the believer who loves God and keeps His commandments, and God keeping His covenant and His loving kindness (chesed). Love and Obedience, Mercy and Justice, Love and Law—these are the foundations of God's covenant.

In many other passages, we see this sentiment echoed:

Yeshua repeats this promise of God's loving kindness and covenant

In John chapters 14 and 15, we see Yeshua repeating this promise of the Father's love (chesed) and keeping His covenant over and over again:

Keeping the Law is Love

Many seemingly fundamental Christians are expressing stark opposition against any notion of keeping the Law (Torah) or obedience to God's commandments, claiming that this would nullify the Cross and the blood of Christ.

As we see in Genesis, the serpent has used this lie from the beginning:
"It is OK to disobey God".
It still being used today and many good-meaning Christians are being deceived into disobedience.

Keeping God's commandments (all of them which apply to us, not just 2, not just 10) is following Yeshua. He kept His Father's commandments which possibly included all of the Torah, and calls us to keep His (Yeshua's) commandments to abide in His love.

Dismissing Torah as Legalism

Many Christians dismiss the Torah as legalism and will name-call those followers and believers who follow Yeshua and God's Word as Judaizers. A remarkably regrettable situation.

The Sending of the Holy Spirit

Yeshua sends the Holy Spirit as a result of Love and Obedience, it seems when we look at how the passage is building up:

1. Love
2. Obedience
3. Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit will teach us all things required to abide in the love of the Father and Yeshua.

Chapter 15—much like Paul's analogy in Romans—shows that disciples must abide in Yeshua, or else they will be cut out. Jews and Gentiles alike. What does it mean to abide in Yeshua? Just as he abode in His Father, we must abide in Him.

The theme of Love and Obedience is repeated here in verse 10:

Significantly, it seems to be that Yeshua makes a distinction between His commandments and the Father's commandments.

Does he abolish the Torah then? No. The default in Matthew 5:17-19 still stands. On the contrary, it shows us that Yeshua gave a deeper spiritual meaning to Torah: from fleshly sins to sins of the heart.

Yeshua never abolished the Torah—He strengthened it.

Word Study

Hebrew word “Chesed”(חסד) : God’s steadfast love

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In Hebrew, "חסד" (pronounced chesed) is a multifaceted word that generally signifies lovingkindness, mercy, or steadfast love. It's a core concept in the Hebrew Bible, describing God's covenantal faithfulness and compassion towards humanity, as well as human expressions of loyalty and kindness towards one another. While the term is primarily associated with the Old Testament, its nuances and implications are relevant for understanding the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus, particularly concerning God's character and how believers should relate to God and each other.

Here's a breakdown of how "חסד" is used:

• God's Character:

  "חסד" is frequently used to describe God's attributes of mercy, compassion, and faithfulness. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with His people. In Exodus 34:6, God is described as "abounding in love and faithfulness," where "love" is a translation of "חסד".

• Human Relationships:

  "חסד" also describes the kind of love and loyalty that should exist between people. It emphasizes the importance of kindness, compassion, and generosity in human interactions.

• Beyond Translation:

  The word "חסד" is notoriously difficult to translate into a single English word, encompassing the ideas of love, loyalty, and generosity. Translations like "mercy," "lovingkindness," and "steadfast love" are often used, but each captures only a part of its rich meaning.

• New Testament Context:

  While the New Testament primarily uses Greek words like agape (love) and charis (grace), the concept of "חסד" is still relevant. For example, Jesus's command to love one another "as I have loved you" (John 13:34) builds upon the Old Testament understanding of "חסד" as a self-sacrificial love.

• "Hasid" (חסיד):

  The term "חסיד" (hasid) is derived from "חסד" and refers to a person who embodies God's lovingkindness, going beyond the expected in their devotion to God and others. This concept is seen in various Jewish traditions and movements.

• Negative Connotation:

  While primarily positive, "חסד" can also have negative connotations, as seen in Leviticus 20:17 where it refers to a disgrace (a negative action).

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Footnotes