5. How did Jesus reveal the closeness and affection of God for those who love him?

⁵ Jesus pointed out that God is equally close to those who come to Christ, when he said: “If anyone loves me, he will observe my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) What closer relationship could one desire? (Compare Revelation 3:20.) After telling his disciples that he was going away to be with his Father, Jesus showed that God was closer to them than they imagined when he said:

For the Father himself has affection for you, because you have had affection for me and have believed that I came out as the Father’s representative.”​—John 16:23-27.