Consider the Word, May 6, 2021

Consider the Word, May 6, 2021
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Printable Version
 
Readings for May 9

• Acts 10:44-48
• Psalm 98
• 1 John 5:1-6
• John 15:9-17

 
Collect

Merciful God,

you have prepared for those who love you

riches beyond imagination.

Pour into our hearts such love toward you,

that we, loving you above all things,

may obtain your promises,

which exceed all that we can desire;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: John 15:9-17

Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."

 
Reflection Questions

1. Love in this passage is an action – a really difficult action. What does it really mean for us to “lay down” our lives for others?
2. What can we do to show that depth of love for others within and outside the church?

 
Closing Prayer

Faithful God,

make our hearts bold with love for one another.

Pour out your Spirit upon all people,

that we may live your justice

and sing in praise

the new song of your marvelous victory. Amen.

 
The Message:

^9-10 “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

^11-15 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

¹⁶ “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

¹⁷ “But remember the root command: Love one another.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson