Day 34: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Rev. Bob Walker

 

 

Scripture: “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15: 12-13 NRSV

 

Devotion: I have sat with a war veteran and allowed him to cry like a baby when remembering those with whom he served who did not come home alive. When called a hero he invariably answers, “I am no hero, those who gave the last full measure are the heroes.” Now most of us will not be asked to give up our lives for Christ, but He asks us every day to live our lives for Him and only Him! Jesus asked us to love one another and by that love the world would know we are His. Do you love the world? Not just your neighbor, which may be hard enough depending on who your neighbor is. But do you love the one who runs all the way down the line in the right lane and then cuts in front of you after you’ve sat there a long time waiting to make your way? Do you love those who are not so love worthy? We cannot do this unless we know that Jesus first loved us. It is because we are loved that we can love. And we must remember that Jesus does not ask us to feel warmly predisposed toward the other, just to do what is in his/her best interest. Love your neighbor (all folk) as He has first loved us.

 

I don’t know about you, but I do not deserve the Love of God that Jesus has for me! I never served in combat so I do not know the love of one who gave his live for me except for Jesus. And then there are those who love me in spite of myself: my mom, my wife, et al. Makes me feel humble. If God loves me like this surely I can try to love that one too!!!

 

Prayer: For your love we give you thanks, O Lord. Now, let us pass it on. AMEN.

 

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