Once again, Tim Challies has his usual thorough notes, but for variety I thought I would quote from the New Attitude Blog. Sounds like it was a great talk . . .

"It follows that the ultimate purpose of Jesus going to the cross is to obey His Father. He doesn’t cry, ‘I love them so much I’ll go to the cross.’ He says, ‘Not my will but yours be done.’ The first thing that drives Him to the cross is the love He has for His Father.

Before God loves us, He loves His son. The Father out of love for His son is determined that all should love the Son. God is vindicated and glorified. All this comes out of the intract Trinitarian love of God. This prepares us to read John 3:16.

The grounding of all the things Jesus prays for comes out of the perfection of the love of the Father for the Son. This demands the perfection of similar love in us. When we respond to the love of God we should respond in perfect obedience as the Son did. We are to love each other.

We are to love each other that the world may see this love in us. Our love is to be a reflection of the perfect triune God. Christians should so love each other that we have Gospel love for even our enemies."