Just wondering

I was just wondering how many of us Pastors (and actually all Christ-followers) act on Jesus' teaching in John 13. I see a lot of posturing and attention-seeking amongst believers today, but very little of what Jesus modelled for us.

When he {Jesus} had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)

To be fair, I know that there are a lot of servant-hearted believers in our communities, because these are the Christians that make the most impact for the kingdom. I guess they are the ones who act for Jesus without publicizing their actions. 

·      “Most people wish to serve God - but in an advisory capacity only.” - Anonymous 

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What is NEW about it?

In reflecting on this very well-known passage of scripture (John 13:33-35) I was greatly challenged around the idea of this 'new' commandment. Why did Jesus refer to it as a new commandment? If you want to get the full version of my thoughts on this, then please watch this video.

John 13:34-35 - “And so I am giving a new commandment to you now—love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (Living Bible)

Tertullian reports the pagans of his day (a century after this Gospel was published) as saying of Christians, ‘See how they love one another!’” 

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The companion

“We may not know exactly where the journey will lead, but we can be sure of who travels with us.” – Shane Stafford.

It is deeply reassuring to be reminded that we have a close companion on the journey of life. No matter how alone you may be feeling at the moment, please remember that Christ is with you.

Mark 1:21 - Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum.

John 13:1-2 - Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end.

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Keep on loving one another

In his final charge to the Hebrews the writer makes a number of profound statements in chapter 13. The very first words he utters are: "Keep on loving one another" (v.1). While these words may not seem earth-shattering for us, they are still very important for all believers to hear. 

Jesus had already told his disciples that the world would witness our love for each other and know that we belonged to him. He said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

Sometimes I feel that if we could just put this into practice more often, our communities would be very different. I like what C.S. Lewis says about loving each other:

"Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbour,  act as if you did! As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.” 

Action: Who is God calling you to love today? 

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Last messages

The last words and actions of Jesus (before his arrest) leave us amazed at the extent of his love. On the very night before he would be nailed to the cross, Jesus was revealing his love to his followers in a most profound way. 

He showed them how to serve one another, through the washing of their feet (John 13) and then he led them through the Passover meal, drawing a direct connection with his body, about to be broken, and his blood about to be shed. These last messages still have a profound influence on our Christian faith today. 

Prayer: "Almighty, everlasting God,
on the evening before he suffered
your beloved son entrusted to the Church
the sacrifice of the new and eternal covenant
and founded the banquet of love.
Grant that from this mystery
we may receive the fullness of life and love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ." - Henri Nouwen

Question: How does Jesus's call for us to serve and love others, challenge us today?

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A Good Example

What does it mean to follow someone's example? Is it as simple as taking note of how they live, speak, act and then trying to emulate that? How do we know that their example is the right one to follow as there are plenty of people who aren't good examples?

When we turn to the Scriptures, we find the charge to follow the example of two extremely influential people - Jesus and Paul. 

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" - John 13:5

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 11:1

Thoughts: How good are we at following Jesus' example?

Albert Schweitzer - "A good example has twice the value of good advice."

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P.S. Remember that you can get this devotion directly to your email inbox - just go to the subscription block on www.delmelinscott.blogspot.com 

Only a shadow

On the day when the world turns Red to celebrate Valentines Day, it is good to remind ourselves of God's relentless love for us. Jesus' love for humanity was not something he offered for 'one day only', but rather for all eternity. Our love for each other and God, is only a shadow of God's love for us.

"My own belief in you, my Lord, is only a shadow of your faith in me,
only a shadow of all that will be when we meet face-to-face...
The love I have for you, my Lord, is only a shadow of your love for me,
only a shadow of all that will be when we meet face-to-face." - Father Carey Landry

John 13:34 (Living Bible) - “And so I am giving a new commandment to you now—love each other just as much as I love you.

May the shadow of Christ's love overwhelm you today, so that you may love others in turn.

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In this together

I have often wondered why the 12 Step Program is used so successfully with organisations like AA and others. A thought occurred to me this past week, while preparing a sermon on 'Living in Community', that it surely has to do with a deep sense of mutual struggle and empathetic understanding. In groups like this there can be no pretense and everyone knows your pain, so this often drives us to greater care, sincere encouragement and a collective feeling of 'we are in this together.'

Sadly, the same thing is not always evident in our churches, but it should be. We are all in this 'life' together and we all have struggles and pain, yet somehow we arrive at church with great pretense and our personal spiritual masks firmly in place.

Please read this well known verse very slowly and see what God is revealing to you today.

“A new command I give you:
Love one another.
As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know
 that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35

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Henry David Thoreau

For something completely different I want us to mark the birthday of Henry David Thoreau today. He was born on the 12th July 1817 and although Henry was not overtly Christian, his life and work inspired many important people, including Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Gandhi. He held strong views against slavery and the Mexican-American war, and believed that a non-violent approach to politics would bring about reform. Thoreau also believed that nature was incredibly enchanting and that the meaning of life was hidden in creation.

What makes me dwell on his life today (besides it being his birthday) is to ask ourselves if our lives "rub off" onto others in a positive way? Do our actions shape the thoughts and actions of other people?

And when we think of our Saviour Jesus Christ, how has the life of Christ changed the way we live our lives.

John 13:15 - "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Here are a few of Henry David Thoreau's quotes to get you thinking:

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.

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While you wait

How good are you at waiting? I confess that I am not the best - I am quite impatient actually.
In Revelation 21, John gives us a vision of the New Heaven and New Earth - it is something to look forward to and certainly to give us Hope for Life beyond the grave. If you want to read that passage then click here to read it again.

The question I ask is this: "What are we to do, while we wait?" Surely we can't just twiddle our thumbs and sit around doing nothing, while we wait for that glorious day? I think part of the answer lies in Jesus words:

"A New Command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35

If could occupy our time by LOVING in the way that Jesus loved, then I believe we will transform the world 'while we wait.'  

These well known words we given by Jesus to his disciples, even after he had told them that Judas would betray him. This teaches us that Love is not a nice thing we offer to people when we are in the mood, but a conscious choice, despite the way they may treat us.

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Don't shoot the messenger

In days gone by, when messages were sent by a 'real' human messenger, it was common for the bearer of bad news to be killed on the spot. Needless to say, there were not queues of people signing up to be messengers for the King. However, in the end, the messenger had to deliver the message, regardless of the outcome.

We are asked to be Messengers of our Lord and King, and sometimes we will get 'shot down' or ridiculed for the message we share. We can plead with people not to "shoot the messenger", but in the end, it is the Good News that needs to reach the ears of all people.

Let us resolve not to worry about the reaction of those to our message - after all, it is the message of the King we are relaying - it is not our own message.

Luke 13:34 - “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

John 13:20 - "I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”

Living in Grace
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