Today’s WORD (Text) John 15:12-17
12/ “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13/ No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14/ You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15/ I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16/ You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17/ I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Today’s Witness
Jesus described the spiritual relationship that he sought with his disciples as friendship. Although their preferred titles of reverence and respect for him were “Lord” and “Rabbi,” Jesus asserted that given the nature of his sharing with them—openly, fully, and with humility—their relationship had transcended the Master-Servant model of relating to the friendship model. Jesus understood his earthly assignment as one who was sent from the Father to transmit God’s reconciling love. To do so, he chose men and women that would live and learn together as they practiced God’s redeeming and unfailing love in human communities. Jesus wants us to replicate the love he shared with us with others that we encounter in the world. This kind of love-giving can not derive authentically from the Master-Servant model of relating. The love-giving that Jesus sends us to practice in the world can only be prompted by friendship.
Today’s Invitation
Reflect on the spiritual relationships or friendships you have where there is an emphasis on the practice of sacrificial and unconditional love. Where are such friendships active in your life? In what ways have you been able to impact the world through those friendships?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, teach us to replicate your sacrificial and unconditional love in our encounters with others. Teach us to appreciate the reconciling and redeeming power of love that shares with others, that is transparent as we allow ourselves to appear vulnerable for the sake of building trust and mutual understanding, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Taylor Smith on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) John 15:12-17
12/ “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13/ No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14/ You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15/ I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16/ You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17/ I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Today’s Witness
Jesus described the spiritual relationship that he sought with his disciples as friendship. Although their preferred titles of reverence and respect for him were “Lord” and “Rabbi,” Jesus asserted that given the nature of his sharing with them—openly, fully, and with humility—their relationship had transcended the Master-Servant model of relating to the friendship model. Jesus understood his earthly assignment as one who was sent from the Father to transmit God’s reconciling love. To do so, he chose men and women that would live and learn together as they practiced God’s redeeming and unfailing love in human communities. Jesus wants us to replicate the love he shared with us with others that we encounter in the world. This kind of love-giving can not derive authentically from the Master-Servant model of relating. The love-giving that Jesus sends us to practice in the world can only be prompted by friendship.
Today’s Invitation
Reflect on the spiritual relationships or friendships you have where there is an emphasis on the practice of sacrificial and unconditional love. Where are such friendships active in your life? In what ways have you been able to impact the world through those friendships?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, teach us to replicate your sacrificial and unconditional love in our encounters with others. Teach us to appreciate the reconciling and redeeming power of love that shares with others, that is transparent as we allow ourselves to appear vulnerable for the sake of building trust and mutual understanding, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Taylor Smith on Unsplash