| Series | Walking with Jesus: Christian Life |
|---|---|
| Theme | 3. Walking through the world with Jesus - Savaliga i le lalolagi ma Iesu |
| Season | Leni |
| Colour | Lanu Violē |
| Special Day | Asiasiga Komiti Tupe |
Scripture Focus: Ioane 15:12-18
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. “I command these things to you, that you may love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.
- John 15:12-18 (WEB)
Study:
Jesus’s final instructions to his disciples center around love – a love mirroring his own sacrificial love. He elevates their relationship from that of master and servant to that of friends, sharing intimate knowledge previously reserved for himself. This friendship isn’t based on shared interests but on obedience to his commands, the primary command being to love one another. He chose them for a specific purpose – to bear lasting fruit, and to have their prayers answered. The world's rejection is inevitable, mirroring the world's rejection of Jesus himself. This passage isn’t just a historical event; it’s a current call to discipleship.
Application:
In today’s world, “love” is often diluted, focusing on feelings rather than action. Jesus calls us to a radical love – a love that prioritizes the needs of others, even above our own, and is willing to sacrifice. Our friendships with other Christians shouldn’t be superficial, but deeply rooted in a shared commitment to following Jesus. We are called to bear fruit, meaning our lives should produce tangible evidence of God’s work in us, impacting the world around us. We are empowered to ask boldly in prayer because of our friendship with Jesus and His promise to intercede on our behalf. Expect opposition from a world that doesn’t share our values, but remember that this is simply following in Jesus’ footsteps.
Reflection Questions:
- How does Jesus’s definition of love differ from the world’s definition?
- What does it mean to 'bear fruit' in our lives? What kind of fruit are you producing?
- Are there areas in your life where you struggle to love others as Jesus loved you?
- How can you prepare yourself to face opposition for your faith?
- What specific prayer request can you bring before the Father in Jesus’ name right now?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for calling us your friends. Help us to love one another as you have loved us, with a self-sacrificing and unwavering love. Empower us to bear lasting fruit in our lives, and give us the courage to face opposition with faith. We ask for your guidance and strength, knowing that you hear our prayers and will work all things for good. In your name we pray, Amen.
Tags:love, friendship, discipleship, obedience, fruit, prayer, sacrifice, Jesus, John 15, Christian Life, walking with Jesus