The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotion from The Resurrection United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 17 September 2015 - "Jesus' picture of the church: people in communion"
Daily Scripture: John 13:34 “I am giving you a new command: that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. 35 Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other.”
John 15:9 “Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
12 “This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you.
Daily Scripture: John 13:34 “I am giving you a new command: that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. 35 Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other.”
John 15:9 “Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
12 “This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you.
Reflection Questions:
John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, visited a "band" (i.e. small group) of coal miners. He wrote in his journal, "No person ever misses his band or class; they have no jar of any kind among them but with one heart and one mind ‘provoke one another to love and to good works.’” This group of plain working people, Wesley said, could be “a pattern” for all Methodists. Wesley took his cue from Jesus, who saw “the church” as people defined by love. Love, he said, was how others could recognize his disciples.
- A non-religious friend you invite to join your small group says, “I don’t know. Churches make so many claims. How do I know you and your group are on the right track?” What do you say? What does it take for you to live into Jesus' way of answering that question: “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other”?
- John 15:9 started with ten transforming words from Jesus: "As the Father loved me, I too have loved you." Just as the moon reflects the sun’s light, our love for others is a reflection of God’s love for us. How does God's love for you motivate you to love more and more? In what practical ways do you live out your loving commitment to God and others? When and how do you commit time and energy to those you love?
Today’s Prayer:
O Lord, help me increasingly to love, not as an outward disguise to hide my anger or pain, but from my heart as your love overflows and bubbles out of me to bless others. Amen.
Insight from Evan Palmer
Evan Palmer has been a member of Resurrection since 2002. Evan graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in International Relations and worships at Resurrection’s Downtown campus.
This Commandment, considered the “Greatest Commandment,” seems simple. Love. Love one another as Christ loves us. Why then, does it also seem to be the most challenging? I find myself most motivated when I have been inspired by love. Just this week, one of my coworkers was clearly upset yet, in that moment, instead of focusing on herself, she was quick to listen and concerned with my needs above her own. I am reminded in these situations that love really does prevail over all.
The human race desires truth—we see this in our everyday life. We long to know truth, meaning, and purpose, yet are quick to judge, be spiteful, and hate. I am overwhelmingly humbled when I think that the Lord of all the Universe chooses to love me each moment of each day. I am thankful for His consistent grace and mercy (which I often seem to lose sight of). It is in these moments I am compelled to love as Christ has loved me. When we are intentional about choosing Christ’s love, we will be intentional about loving others first before casting judgment, spite, or hate. In order to assist one another in seeking truth, meaning, and purpose, perhaps we can begin by showing one another the love of Christ—especially when we don’t feel the other deserves it. For moments of truth in my life often times started out as moments of love.
I see truth revealed through the beauty of sunrises and sunsets. You can see the love and attention to detail from our Creator at the beginning and end of every day. I see truth when a friend pauses in his or her busy day to take the time to ask how I am. It’s not hate that compels someone to stop the happenings of the day to check in on another— it may be out of obligation, but I am almost sure love is a factor as well. I see truth when despite one’s political views, there is a higher sense to first love each individual as a human being. I see love when those closest to me choose to love me despite my shortcomings and wrongdoings. Love is a choice. It is the hard choice sometimes, but it is something we choose. Each day we seek to align our lives after Jesus Christ and, because of this, we are called to love one another as Christ loves us. We are asked to live differently than the world’s standards—to higher standards—to love others before we love ourselves. This is not our human nature, but it is how we are designed to live.
“But the law of loving others could not be discovered by reason, because it is unreasonable.” – Leo Tolstoy
Evan Palmer has been a member of Resurrection since 2002. Evan graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in International Relations and worships at Resurrection’s Downtown campus.
This Commandment, considered the “Greatest Commandment,” seems simple. Love. Love one another as Christ loves us. Why then, does it also seem to be the most challenging? I find myself most motivated when I have been inspired by love. Just this week, one of my coworkers was clearly upset yet, in that moment, instead of focusing on herself, she was quick to listen and concerned with my needs above her own. I am reminded in these situations that love really does prevail over all.
The human race desires truth—we see this in our everyday life. We long to know truth, meaning, and purpose, yet are quick to judge, be spiteful, and hate. I am overwhelmingly humbled when I think that the Lord of all the Universe chooses to love me each moment of each day. I am thankful for His consistent grace and mercy (which I often seem to lose sight of). It is in these moments I am compelled to love as Christ has loved me. When we are intentional about choosing Christ’s love, we will be intentional about loving others first before casting judgment, spite, or hate. In order to assist one another in seeking truth, meaning, and purpose, perhaps we can begin by showing one another the love of Christ—especially when we don’t feel the other deserves it. For moments of truth in my life often times started out as moments of love.
I see truth revealed through the beauty of sunrises and sunsets. You can see the love and attention to detail from our Creator at the beginning and end of every day. I see truth when a friend pauses in his or her busy day to take the time to ask how I am. It’s not hate that compels someone to stop the happenings of the day to check in on another— it may be out of obligation, but I am almost sure love is a factor as well. I see truth when despite one’s political views, there is a higher sense to first love each individual as a human being. I see love when those closest to me choose to love me despite my shortcomings and wrongdoings. Love is a choice. It is the hard choice sometimes, but it is something we choose. Each day we seek to align our lives after Jesus Christ and, because of this, we are called to love one another as Christ loves us. We are asked to live differently than the world’s standards—to higher standards—to love others before we love ourselves. This is not our human nature, but it is how we are designed to live.
“But the law of loving others could not be discovered by reason, because it is unreasonable.” – Leo Tolstoy
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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