In John 17, we learn that the Father loves us to the same degree that He loves Christ. Jesus had already prepared His disciples for understanding the impact of this as He reveals the dynamics of love in chapters 13-16. Christ loves us as the Father has loved Him. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. We abide in His love as we keep His commands. We cannot truly love others until we know how much God has loved us. Our love for Christ is the fountain from which our obedience springs.