The Voice of Love
Read John 15:9-17
Jesus says:
“I am the voice of love. Therefore, I no longer call you servants. I till you my friends. I want you to see that I am loved by my father in heaven and that he has sent me to love you.
“I came, leaving the love of my father’s kingdom, coming to earth to be born as a child. I grew in the love of a human family: a mother who was a handmaiden of her God, and a father who took me as his own, putting his own concerns to one side for the good of others.
“I learnt the scriptures. I understood that they referred directly to me: to the life I would live and death I would die. I knew from the very beginning when the end would come.
“In love I gathered a team around me - a team of twelve, made up of unlikely heroes: the fisherman, the tax collector and the outcast. I drew them to myself as companions on the tourney. I tried to mould them, to shape and guide them along the way of love. I wanted to offer new life and total transformation to them, and to all who looked to my father, the Holy Spirit and me for help. I used parables and stories and drew pictures with my words. Still, they did not understand or comprehend my love for them, for all God’s people.
“I tried to explain that my death would transform life; that if they lived in me, then I would live in them; that they too would know what it meant to love and be loved. I tried to tell them that I loved them so much that I would lay down my life for them — but they just didn’t get it.
“Everything that was foretold came to pass. One of my friends betrayed me, another denied me, and still others ran scared for the hills. I was arrested, tried, beaten and crucified, all in the name of love.
“However, my death was not the end — in fact it was just the beginning, as through it, love grew. From city to city, from nation to nation, the word of love lived on and thrived among the people. I came, I lived, I transformed, I died, I rose again, and now I live on — sharing my love trough those who choose to bear my name. As they love —love one another and love God — my life and death will fulfil its purpose.”
Prayer
God of love,
I choose today to live in you
just as you have chosen to live in me,
As I go out today, living in you,
use me to draw others to you.
Help me to love those around me
with the unconditional love shown in
the person of Jesus Christ,
and help me to listen to your voice of love
Amen.
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