Today’s scripture: John 15:12-17 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (David Zier):
In today’s scripture, Jesus tells us, “you are my friends if you do what I command you.” And what does he command us to do? “That you love one another as I have loved you.”
On one level, we can think, “Okay, I think I got that one.” But maybe this isn’t as easy as it sounds. One might expect a true friend, out of their love for the other, would put themselves at risk in order to help someone they deeply cared for even if it means self-sacrifice. Would you do that for your friends, or only a few “choice” ones?
There are times even friends see things very differently. What one experiences as hurt, the other thought would help. We may not always agree on important issues. And then there’s this problem of not being able to read each other’s mind.
Jesus is the kind of friend we should all long to have and to be like. He tells us like it is, and does not leave us hanging or trying to read his mind. He says, “I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from God.” What a privilege we have in our relationship with Him!
We will all come to a place where we need to choose the kind of relationship we will have with Jesus and with others. Jesus put His life on the line and He did it with self-sacrificing love. Have we loved each other as Jesus has loved us?
Thought for the day: What kind of friend do you have in Jesus? What kind of friend do you want to be?
Today, let’s join together in prayer for: Robbie, a member of Jesus MCC who is ill, and his partner Chuck.
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.