Wednesday 10 Apr 2013

Wednesday Reading: John 13:34-35

Key Verse: John 13:34
34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Devotion:
This is one of those verses that we cling to so that we can support fellowship and friendship; but it is so very much more than that and I would challenge you to look deeper into the words today. When Jesus gave us these words it was in the shadow of what was going to happen to Him; much the same as we would love to be able to straighten things out with our own children if we were told beforehand what time we should die. Jesus wanted the disciples to know something more than just the love He showed them every day.

When Jesus said that we should love one another it was more than just fellowship or putting up with neighbours; He wanted us to know that we had to be there for each other, both in times of need and in times of prosperity. Christian fellowship is more than just saying hello, meeting on Sundays and prayer days; it is about sharing each other’s burdens, praying and growing together, putting each other right when we fail or falter and making sure that we aim so much higher than we have before. Jesus did not do things in half measure but went the whole way and loved us with an open heart and a full heart. If we do not do the same then we are falling short of the mark already!

We must not draw lines in the sand and say that we shall not cross them but should be willing to reach far over them to invite people in to learn the truth; and that truth must not be what everyone else says it should be but must be firmly grounded in God’s Word because it is that word that is true. If Jesus had drawn lines we would all be on the other side of those lines because we are all sinners who need Him!

If you want other people to know that you are a Christian then you have to be willing to show them that you are. That means stepping forward, stepping over the line that you have drawn in the sand and going all the way to the line that Jesus draws around you. Jesus invited some pretty strange characters into fellowship with Him and we must be willing to do so as well. Being very careful that we do not slip and fall has got to be our stand point because we are reaching far into the enemies territory when we do reach out to others – but Jesus will be with you when you take His hand and walk!

Points to Ponder:
What do others see in you?

Are you inviting others in or pushing them out?