WEEK B—E6

JOHN 15: 9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

In today’s passage, Jesus explains to His disciples that as long as they continue to follow the Lord’s commandments, they will remain in God’s love. He reminds them to love one another as He loves them, acknowledging that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus reminds His disciples that He no longer calls them slaves who chose to follow Him, but rather friends whom He has chosen to go forth, bear fruit, and love one another in His name.

In life, there are often times when we question God’s presence and love for us. However, in today’s passage, Jesus speaks directly to us in this conversation with His disciples. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus foreshadows His death and sacrifice on the cross where He literally lays His life down for us; and that is the ultimate act and expression of His overflowing love for us. He reminds us to always remain in this love and have faith in His love. Often times we fix our eyes on the storm in our life, focusing in on the bad and the negative. If we fix our eyes on the cross then it is easier to have faith in the love that exists in that act. Jesus calls us to act in the same way to those around us and to love one another in His name. When we truly believe in the love that exists between Jesus and us, we must strive to give the same love to those in our life.

God calls us to love one another. However, that task can sometimes be difficult in our day-to-day life when we are faced with frustrating situations. Think back to a moment during this past week when you encountered a situation like this at home, school, or work. How did you feel in that moment? What was the first thing that you thought of doing in that moment? It is easy to react with anger, frustration, and hate. It is easy to be selfish and choose to act for yourself instead of for God. God calls us to take the slightly harder road of reacting in love to one another. God gave us His only son, in the ultimate sacrifice, to show us an act of true love that we can emulate in our own ways. Love can be saying hi to a stranger. Love can be being a listening ear. Love can be a comforting hug. In this upcoming week, make a conscious effort to act in love with every person you encounter. What other ways can you act and react in love? How can you be an expression of God’s love for humanity in your daily interactions?

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

Love - an intense feeling of deep affection; sacrifice, mercy, and joy all rolled into one. In giving His only son to save us from our sins, God has shown us the most beautiful expression of love. In our life, we should remain in this love and act in love towards one another. See the bits of love that God sprinkles in our daily life and, alternatively, make conscious decisions to be moments of love in the lives of others. When we show love to one another, we are actively being Christ’s presence in each other’s lives.

(John 15:12)

Lord, thank you for reminding us of Your love for us. Although there are times when we take this love for granted and stray from Your path, guide us to fix our eyes on You. Your love is a beacon of light for us, guiding us to return and remain in You. Continue to lead us in Your ways so we can continue on our journey of faith with You. Amen.