Share the Cup 2

John 13:34

It takes a lot to keep our household going. With a family of five there is never a lack of things that need to be done. Often, when we leave the house for work or to go away for an evening, we will leave a list of things that need to be taken care of in our absence.

Our children might be instructed to empty the dishwasher, vacuum the carpet, sweep the floor or take out the trash. All of us have things that we need to do or that we should do in our lives.

Our faith in Jesus compels us to do the ministry of God’s kingdom. If we believe in who Jesus was and is then we are naturally going to do good deeds to share God’s love. According to John, in his last evening with his disciples Jesus gave his followers one command to be followed. What was it?

Jesus said that his was a new command. His words probably made reference to all the many religious laws and rules of the Jewish faith. He may also have been referring to the instructions he had been giving throughout his ministry – like those found in “The Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5 – 7.

Now he has some new instructions for those who believe. His words were said to the disciples present with him at the Last Supper, but we can believe that what he had to say is meant for each of us today.

His new command was that we love one another. Then he gives more details. We are to love one another in the same way that Jesus has loved us. That type of love is a love of acceptance and self-sacrifice.

Jesus was willing to humble himself for us. He was willing to lower himself from being the Son of God to being another human friend to all of us sinners.

Such is the love we should have for others. We should be willing to share the cup of Communion, the cup of redemption, the cup of salvation, the cup of compassion and love with all other people. That means we are willing to treat everyone else as an equal to us. We must be willing to share the intimacy of a meal with people we may otherwise find unpleasant or unworthy.

Such is the example of love Christ gave to us. Such is the love we are commanded to live out.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to love as Jesus loved?

Receive 5

John 13:34-35

We have three Christmas trees in the main section of our house. One is in the entryway, one is in the living room and one is in the dining room. All are near windows so that they may be seen from outside.

Why do we do this? Why do we decorate our homes with lights and trees and evergreen swags? We do it so that we can share the wonderful season of Christmas with others.

The trees are beautiful and it is very pleasant to sit in the evening and look at all the decorations and the soft lights. But our celebration of Christmas is not something only for ourselves. The excitement and love of the holiday is meant to be shared with everyone.

Today’s passage is from a later chapter in John, but I believe it is as much a part of the story of Christmas as any other. What does Jesus command? What will that show?

Christmas can be a wonderful time of gathering as family or with friends, surrounding ourselves with all the joys and pleasures of the holiday. It can be a very personal experience, a time of family love and warmth.

But the gift of Christmas, although meant to be a personal and intimate gift, is also a gift which needs to be shared. We receive the love of God at Christmas. We are reminded of how deep and powerful God’s compassion for us truly is.

Now we must spread that gift to others. We must show the love and compassion of God to the entire world, sharing Christ with everyone.

Let the love and joy of Christmas be yours, but let it also be shown to the world, shining as bright and pure as the candles and lights of the season.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you shine God’s light of love this year?

This is our final devotion for 2009. We will resume on January 4, 2010. Our family would like to wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year. May the love and peace of God be with you always. – Roger and Peggy

Love One Another 1

Due to the President's Day holiday, this week will only have four devotions.

John 13:34-35

One of the images near the end of the movie “Forrest Gump” is that of Forrest’s son sitting and watching television with his head tilted in the same way Forrest tilted his head. It was an image to let the audience know that the child did indeed belong to Forrest. The boy was a living example of the father.

Our behavior and our attitudes, our way of talking and walking, our way of working, can all be indications of who we are and who we came from. And this concept goes beyond our inherited traits and behaviors. It applies to our faith also.

In this passage Jesus gives instruction to his disciples. What is the new command? What will obedience to this command show others?

Jesus has gathered with his disciples to take part in that intimate meal we now know as the Last Supper. This was his last hours with those who were followers, those whom he loved. This was his last opportunity to teach his disciples. And in this opportunity he imparts a new lesson.

The disciples were told to love one another. And how should they love one another? In the same way, behaving in the same manner, as Jesus did. That meant they should love one another completely, and they should be willing to sacrifice for one another. Their love for one another should be a love that accepts, desires fellowship, teaches and forgives.

And I believe his instructions were not just for the disciples, but were meant to all who believe in Christ. We must love one another. And we must be evident in our love for one another. The love we should have for one another in the body of Christ should be a love that lives out what it means to be Christian. Our love should be a visible and concrete example of who Jesus is.

By loving one another as Jesus was able to love we are serving as witnesses and teachers in the faith. As Jesus pointed out, “all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will people know you are a disciple of Christ?