Journeys

To journey with Jesus means living in community—becoming part of the alternative community of Jesus. Sometimes, but not always, the church can be that community. The kingdom of God is much larger than the church. Discipleship is not an individual path, but a journey in the company of other disciples. We need community to sustain us.

John 15:12-14 I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me.

The love of Jesus is self-sacrificing love, seen on the cross. Where best to see love than at Calvary? The love of Calvary is love for all, and wants and desires that we know and receive this love. In prayer we might imagine ourselves at Calvary and allow the love of Jesus Christ be given to each of us.

Even though I may be happy to be a servant of Jesus, I realise that he calls me a friend. He wants me to know what is most important to him, what is closest to his heart. I take time to hear Jesus address me as friend.

If God designed the Church to function like a body with every member ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit to other members, in regular interpersonal relationship, then would it be surprising to find that the neglect of this regular interpersonal, spiritual ministry cripples the body in some of its functions and causes parts of the body to be weak and sick? Isn’t that what you would expect?"

Our lives must be productive, productive in love, in caring, in justice, in compassion, in building up the world of the Kingdom. And we need to have no fear. God is with us and everything we need will be given to us to become a fruitful community. Once again Jesus repeats the core commandment: Love one another. How much of all this is descriptive of my life? 

Almighty God, you have created all people and all of creation. We give you thanks for this gift we’re invited to engage with hope, joy and love as your disciples. Open our hearts and our eyes to see our communities as you would have us to see them. Help us to find courage to sit and hear others when so often we want to be heard first. You are good and you are gracious, O God. Let us see all people as children of you, who created us all. It is in the name Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.