Some Rich Words

Jesus loves us...for a purpose.

We really could take each sentence of this passage and spend at least a day on each one. This is rich stuff John gives us from Jesus.

But as flowery as they could be, they are not without significant practice and direction. Jesus isn’t simply trying to make us feel good. He is laying out action steps to be followed.

…so that you can love each other.

John 15:9-17

“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.”

Psalm 103:8-18

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love.
God won’t always play the judge; he won’t be angry forever. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin or repay us according to our wrongdoing, because as high as heaven is above the earth, that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him. Like a parent feels compassion for their children—that’s how the Lord feels compassion for those who honor him. The Lord’s faithful love is from forever ago to forever from now for those who honor him, and God’s righteousness reaches to the grandchildren of those who keep his covenant.

Prayer

God,

Sometimes it seems too good to be true, out of reach, like the notion there are trillions of galaxies in the sky. How does one comprehend such a thing? How do we really expect to believe that you, God of all, love each of us, one out of eight billion? You love me?

Indeed this is a matter of faith, God. I believe. I choose to believe. And I choose to live my life accordingly.

Even so, so help me, God. Help me to believe. And help me to live accordingly.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.