There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: 2 John 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. [2 John 1:5-6]
If you only have time for one quick message, what will that message be?
How does John summarize the message of Jesus in this short letter?
At the end of the day, it all boils down to the most important command: love!
John is a disciple-maker, and he is either writing to a lady and her actual children, or figuratively to a church and it’s members.
And he is under orders from Jesus to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything He commanded – and all of His commands can be summarized in one word: love!
My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 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 13:33-35]
Jesus’ time is short, He is also summarizing His message.
How will people recognize His followers – by their church attendance, by their clothing, by their holiness, by their…
Everyone will know that they are His followers (disciples) if they love one another.
This is the most important thing about Jesus’ message.
That we love God, and that we love people.
And the love He is talking about is not syrupy niceness, it is self-sacrificing servant love.
Going the extra mile, turning the other cheek, blessing enemies, forgiving people, etc.
This is the example Jesus set for us (think about washing feet, or the parable of the Good Samaritan), and He calls us to “go and do likewise”.
So how is the lady (church) and her children (Christians) doing today?
Are we known most of all as a people who love, self-sacrificially?
Is this our reputation in the community – as a church, but also as individuals?
How do your neighbours, or co-workers, experience you?
When the message is boiled down to it’s simplest, when the good news is spelled out so that even a child can understand it, it comes down to one thing: love.
He loved us, we are to love like Him!
That is your mission for today, that is my mission for today!
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive us for making things so complicated, for majoring in minors, and neglecting the most important thing. Thank You for loving me, help me to love like You!