New Wine - Day 20
The Vineyard
John 15:9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other like I have loved you.
It is fair to say that the greatest harvest that comes from the vineyard is a harvest of love in the world. There is an example of love and a command to love all encapsulated in this particular text. Jesus shows us how he has loved us in the same manner that the Father has loved him. Then, we are asked to obey his commands, specifically to love one another so our joy will overflow.
How do you love the people around you? Does giving love give you joy? It usually does. There is a reciprocity to love that is made clear repeatedly in scripture, and here is perhaps the greatest example of it. We are to love people the way that Jesus has loved us, which is based on God the Father has loved him. It’s pretty good company you keep when you decided to love in the way that Jesus has.
And what I find most comforting is that when we are given a commandment, it is to love! I am constantly amazed when someone is confused by this. Jesus makes it explicit. But there are some that don’t believe that this commandment is enough. They constantly want to point us back to the Ten Commandments rather than understanding that by loving as Christ loved us, we can’t help but keep all of the commandments in our hearts. There is a confusion that keeps sinking in.
I think the confusion stems from the reality that it is hard to accept that love is enough. When we have not yet experienced the love that comes from Jesus, then it feels like love is just another emotion. However, when we have experienced the love that comes from the sustainer of all life, when we feel the belonging and acceptance that comes from Jesus, we stop thinking we need more rules, and realize that the freedom that comes from Christ is the freedom to love without boundaries, as we are loved without boundaries.
We can then realize that the vine has been taken care of by the good gardener, and we are living off the overflow of that love and care!
JOURNAL
It is fair to say that the greatest harvest that comes from the vineyard is a harvest of love in the world. There is an example of love and a command to love all encapsulated in this particular text. Jesus shows us how he has loved us in the same manner that the Father has loved him. Then, we are asked to obey his commands, specifically to love one another so our joy will overflow.
How do you love the people around you? Does giving love give you joy? It usually does. There is a reciprocity to love that is made clear repeatedly in scripture, and here is perhaps the greatest example of it. We are to love people the way that Jesus has loved us, which is based on God the Father has loved him. It’s pretty good company you keep when you decided to love in the way that Jesus has.
And what I find most comforting is that when we are given a commandment, it is to love! I am constantly amazed when someone is confused by this. Jesus makes it explicit. But there are some that don’t believe that this commandment is enough. They constantly want to point us back to the Ten Commandments rather than understanding that by loving as Christ loved us, we can’t help but keep all of the commandments in our hearts. There is a confusion that keeps sinking in.
I think the confusion stems from the reality that it is hard to accept that love is enough. When we have not yet experienced the love that comes from Jesus, then it feels like love is just another emotion. However, when we have experienced the love that comes from the sustainer of all life, when we feel the belonging and acceptance that comes from Jesus, we stop thinking we need more rules, and realize that the freedom that comes from Christ is the freedom to love without boundaries, as we are loved without boundaries.
We can then realize that the vine has been taken care of by the good gardener, and we are living off the overflow of that love and care!
JOURNAL
- What does love really look like to you?
- Why do you think people want more rules, rather than more love?
- What is the greatest love you have ever experienced?
By Pastor Timothy Gillespie
Download a PDF Version of our Series Guide
The Abide Daily Podcast
Thank You for Supporting the Ministry of Crosswalk
Posted in New Wine
RECENT
ARCHIVE
2024
January
New Wine - Day 2New Wine - Day 3New Wine - Day 4New Wine - Day 5New Wine - Day 6New Wine - End of Week 1New Wine - Day 8New Wine - Day 9New Wine - Day 10New Wine - Day 11New Wine - Day 12New Wine - Day 13New Wine - End of Week 2New Wine - Day 15New Wine - Day 16New Wine - Day 17New Wine - Day 18New Wine - Day 19New Wine - Day 20New Wine - End of Week 3New Wine - Day 22New Wine - Day 23New Wine - Day 24New Wine - Day 25New Wine - Day 26New Wine - Day 27New Wine - Day 29New Wine - End of Week 4New Wine - Day 30New Wine - Day 31New Wine - Day 32
February
New Wine - Day 33New Wine - Day 34New Wine - End of Week 5The Invitation - IntroductionThe Invitation - Day 1The Invitation - Day 2The Invitation - Day 3The Invitation - Day 4The Invitation - Day 5The Invitation - Day 6The Invitation - End of Week 1The Invitation - Day 8The Invitation - Day 9The Invitation - Day 10The Invitation - Day 11The Invitation - Day 12The Invitation - Day 13The Invitation - End of Week 2The Invitation - Day 15The Invitation - Day 16The Invitation - Day 17The Invitation - Day 18The Invitation - Day 19
March
The Invitation - Day 20The Invitation - End of Week 3The Invitation - Day 22The Invitation - Day 23The Invitation - Day 24The Invitation - Day 25The Invitation - Day 26The Invitation - Day 27The Invitation - End of Week 4The Invitation - Day 29The Invitation - Day 30The Invitation - Day 31The Invitation - Day 32The Invitation - Day 33The Invitation - Day 34The Invitation - End of Week 5The Invitation - Day 36The Invitation - Day 37The Invitation - Day 38The Invitation - Day 39The Invitation - Day 40The Invitation - Day 41The Invitation - End of Week 6The Invitation - Day 43The Invitation - Day 44The Invitation - Day 45The Invitation - Day 46The Invitation - Day 47The Invitation - Day 48Experience - IntroductionThe Invitation - End of Week 7Experience - Day 1
4 Comments
A decade ago I would have agreed with you, that love is enough. However since then I have experienced the truth of John 15:10 that states that when we obey we remain in His love. When my son attempted suicide, I learned that love is not enough. Tools and actions accompanied by love I think is what love well means.
I am very sorry for your loss. That's one of the hardest things that could happen to a parent. I don't have an answer we usually don't.... I can only say that when something that hard happens we can only believe in Him who knows all.... That is when faith comes in. I know it's easy to say ... I will be praying for peace and understanding.
Jesus continues to ask the impossible when he says to love like he loves. How can we love when we do not have thousands/millions/infinity years of experience of accumulating tools (ie conflict resolution tools, psychological therapy tips, reading other people's needs, ability to heal physical ailments or fix the brain chemistry gone wrong). It seems He asks us to try to do the impossible in order for us to realize we need Him to complete this impossible process.
Paul writes "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
â€â€1 Corinthians‬ â€3‬:â€7‬ â€NIV‬‬
God is the ultimate mechanic. He serves us out of love, he repairs what we need fixed. We try to do the same for others but we have incomplete tool sets. Often I find I try to fix someone's problem with my metric wrench and they end up needing standard sizes. Some of my wrenches fit but often there are screws loose I cannot tighten for them. God is the only one with the infinite tool set.
Love above else is my religion my belief. However, it took me sometime to fully accept it. I needed to free myself from religion's doctrines and don'ts and do's. When I fully accepted His amazing love that I can't even describe it. You have to experience it! I feel His presence His goodness and grace and I love loving others. Because He first loved us.... Because of His forgiveness... Because of His mercy and grace I can share His love with others. Is it easy ? Most of the time I say yes. However, sometimes it is not easy at all... especially when the closest people hurt you.... Sharing His love and seeing people being touched by it it's the best thing ever!