REFLECTIONS

Jesus’ Big Ask

To do anything as Jesus did feels like a big ask. Notice though, He didn’t ask us to walk on water, calm a storm, or restore life to the dead. Those were acts of his deity, not his humanness. Still, to love one another is difficult, yet within human grasp. Besides, Jesus wouldn’t give us a command He hasn’t prepared us to do. To love one another, look at the ways Jesus prepared his disciples, “those given him.” (John 17:6)

First, Jesus prayed for them. “[Father,] I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. (John 17:11-18)

Notice the nature of the love Jesus gave his disciples. “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.“ He instilled “the full measure of my joy within them.” And, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” [Emphasis mine.]

So, who might those special ones be we have been given to love as Jesus loved his disciples? Our children and our children’s children are likely candidates, perhaps others in our families, close friends, or some of those we work with. But not too many, at least at one time. Even Jesus was given only twelve to protect, to mentor, instill joy; and to teach God’s word.

Oh! And there is one more thing. Jesus sent them into the world to carry on the work. Through them his message reached the world and brought glory to God.

So, love one another as Jesus loved us. Pray, protect, instill joy, and teach God’s word by what we say and do before sending them into the world to carry on the work Jesus began. That’s the way Jesus loved his disciples.

And it’s the way for us to love those given us too.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org.

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