As John shifts his writing from focusing on a new era that Jesus introduced in His coming, to showing the extent of His love, what John writes in chapters 13-21 focuses on His passion and the one central point that He specifically hammers on in chapters 13-15: Love.
Given that John records the final words of Jesus [sometimes called the final discourse] prior to His crucifixion and death, it is significant to note what it is that Jesus focuses on as He shares these final words with His disciples. The focus so far is on love; His love for the Father, the Father's love for Him and the Father's and His love for humanity. He gives the disciples an example to follow that speaks of how to love and He gives the Holy Spirit to help His disciples love and remain in His love by keeping His command to love. Jesus could have talked about a lot of things that preoccupy us as followers of Jesus: what will happen in the end, what is heaven like, what about election and predestination, what about tithing, what about keeping the law etc. Out of all these, He specifically speaks of love.
Because of His love, going to the cross and rising again will bring life to humanity. This life is characterized as eternal - of the age to come. This is what He's come to do. Being lifted up will draw all to Him. People will see the extent of His love on the cross and the world will respond. This love will break through the blindness of those living in the darkness. This love will continue in God's community through His followers if we love each other. To think that what will speak the loudest to the world and will cut into the darkness that our lost brothers and sisters live in will be the love that we share with each other because of Christ living in us. The danger is to assume that this is obvious when in reality it is not. If we look at history of Christianity we haven't always been examples of love but rather the opposite. We need the Spirit to help us focus on love above all else.
If you missed this class, listen the lectures and see for yourself:
Portico John Lecture - Chapter 13 - The Extent of His Love
Portico John Lecture - Chapter 13 The Extent of His Love Part II
Portico John Lecture - Chapter 14 Drawn into the Circle
Portico John Lecture - Chapter 15 Drawn into the Circle
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