ACC ~ John 10 v17

THE FATHER SEES HIMSELF IN HIS SON

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: If we see ourselves in our own child, we are drawn to an intensity of love whenever we see that child. In the same way, I think God the Father is said to love his own Son, who lays down his own life for us and takes it again. For it is a work of love to have chosen to suffer—and to suffer shamefully—for the salvation of some. [1] It is a work of love not only to die but also to take again the life that was laid down in order to destroy death and to take away sorrow from corruption. Although the Son is always beloved by reason of his nature, it is evident that Christ is also beloved by God the Father because of his love toward us. Naturally, this gladdens the heart of God the Father since he can see the image of his own nature clearly and perfectly shining forth through Christ’s love for us. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.1. [2]

[1] See Jn 15:13.

[2] LF 48:91**.

THE SON WINS THE FATHER’S LOVE BY DYING FOR US

CHRYSOSTOM: What could be fuller of humanity than when our Lord says that he is loved because he is dying for us? Wasn’t he loved before this? Is it only now that the Father begins to love him and are we the causes of that love? See how he condescends to our level. But what is he trying to prove here? They had said he was a stranger to the Father and a deceiver who had come only to ruin and destroy. And so he tells them: Even if there was nothing else that made me love you, the fact that you are loved by my Father in such a way that I win his love by dying for you—that alone is reason enough to love you. He also shows that he did not do this under compulsion. For if he did it under compulsion, how could love be the motive? And that willingness on his part was something especially known by his Father. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 60.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:217-18**.

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