Scripture: John 13:34-35
[Jesus said,] “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”
Thought for the Day: This appears to be a transitional moment. The disciples have gone from passive students to true disciples with a responsibility. They had been audience members to this point, but with these words, they have been thrust onto the stage of life where faith is lived. That does not mean the disciples successfully achieved the mission put before them, but it had to have been a significant shock to their systems. I wonder how many people never experience this shock. There are many people who view Christianity as more of a spectator sport where one is entertained, awed and blessed. It is a relationship where the gifts flow to a person, but never from the person. With these words, Jesus points us to the hard reality that discipleship is more than receiving – it is taking seriously the new commandment so that our living and our loving are helping to change the world.
Prayer: Thank you for loving me, Gracious God. May this gift encourage me to reciprocate your generosity by giving to others from the abundance you first shared. Amen.
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1 thought on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 04-04-16”
Faith without action is no faith at all. Sorry missed sermon yesterday, but caught it on Livestream. Awesome message.