Today’s scripture: John 14:15-24 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Kay Olry):
There was a song on Christian radio several years ago that asked the question; “Have we failed again, talking about the love of God?” So often, in our efforts to understand Jesus, we get caught up in theology and religion and entirely miss the point.
How can we describe love? Most of the time, words can’t convey the passion and emotion involved in LOVE; it’s like a sighted person trying to describe the sun to a blind person. The words could never truly convey the magnificence of the star that warms and lights the earth. Maybe it is in feeling the sun that it becomes most real to us; the intensity of the heat on our skin.
The Gospel of John, more than any of the other gospels, gives us an idea of the intense emotions Jesus brought to his ministry. Anger at the Scribes and Pharisees, compassion for the woman about to be stoned, patience with the woman at the well; extreme sadness outside of Lazarus’ tomb, and then extreme joy as Lazarus leaves it! Time and again John’s description of Jesus tells us of a man who lived passionately and loved fervently.
One of the ideas that finally helped me accept God into my life was the thought that if I, limited as I am, know how to be kind to others, show compassion, and love those around me, how much more must God be able to do this? In my head, love can sometimes become this generic, “nice” word. The love that Jesus models goes tremendously farther than just “nice”. It’s a love for God and for us that took him to the cross on our behalf: passionate, intense, and all-consuming. It is the same love that the Father has for us, and the Holy Spirit. We are surrounded by the love of our Creator.
Jesus goes on to tell us the Good News; the Spirit of Truth now lives in us! For the first time since the dawn of creation God no longer lives apart from us, but lives inside of us; Teacher, Counselor, Friend. Those of the world don’t understand. This kind of radical love hasn’t ever been seen before. It is a consuming fire, a heat that must be experienced, much like the sun on our skin. To describe it doesn’t do it, or Him, justice.
Thought for the day: The love of Christ is freely offered. Have I allowed the radical love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to change me?
Today, let’s join together in prayer, and ask God to reveal his love to and through us in new ways!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.