Pay closer attention to Jesus
There’s a danger of drifting away
The stakes are high for each one of us
Cling to the true message ev’ry day
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
© 2022 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
– John 13:34-35
These verses call us to love like Jesus.
Notice it is a command. It is not a suggestion for when we feel like it. We must love one another. Churches must be places of love for each other.
And it is a new command primarily because it has a new pattern. We are to love like Jesus. Go through the entire Old Testament, look at saint after saint, and you will not find a perfect example of love. But in Jesus, we have that perfect example. Love like Jesus.
How did Jesus love? In the context, we could say at least three things.
First, Jesus loved by serving. At the beginning of John 13, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Here was a real need, for their feet were dirty and smelly from walking the dusty roads.
Love like Jesus. Serve each other by meeting real needs. That service might be dirty and messy. It might be hard. It might be unpleasant. Love like Jesus. What opportunities to serve do you see in your church family? How might God call you to serve? In what ways are you already serving? Love like Jesus – by serving.
Second, Jesus loved by speaking. You look through John 13-17, and in most of these verses Jesus is speaking. He is going away, and Jesus knows the disciples need instruction. They need encouragement. They need prayer. And so Jesus lovingly speaks words of instruction, words of encouragement, and words of prayer.
Love like Jesus. Speak words of instruction – to spur on another Christian to follow Jesus. Speak words of encouragement – to strengthen another Christian when life is tough. Speak words of prayer on each other’s behalf – for strength in trial, for growth, for healing, for safety, for victory over temptation. What words of instruction, encouragement, or prayer do you need to speak? Love like Jesus – by speaking.
Finally, Jesus loved by sacrificing. Immediately after that Last Supper, Jesus is arrested, falsely accused, flogged, ridiculed, and hung on cross. Why does he endure all of this? Jesus had already told the disciples: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Love motivated His sacrifice. Jesus lovingly sacrificed his life for us, to pay punishment for our sins. He sacrificed Himself so that we might be forgiven.
Love like Jesus. Be ready to sacrifice for each other. How might God call you to sacrifice for your church family? Maybe your time or some money. Maybe you will have to sacrifice your comfort or convenience, even sleep. Love like Jesus – by sacrificing.
And this is how the world will know that we are His disciples – as we obey this command and love like Jesus. When the world looks at the church, they should see a place of love, a people of love. A people who genuinely care about each other. A people who lovingly serve and speak and sacrifice. This is who Jesus calls us to be. This is what we are to be known for.
Love like Jesus
Jesus is the Final Spoken Word
Heir and Creator of everything
He is very God of very God
Upholder, our Savior, and our King
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
© 2022 Brian J. Mikul.
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
Jesus is better than angel beings
Better than Adam and Moses too
A better hope of salvation brings
Better promise and covenant new
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
A better sacrifice once for all
By His own blood He offers mercy
Proclaims a better reward for all
A better life in God’s own country
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
© 2022 Brian Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
Read: Mark 15:42-47.
And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. – Mark 15:46 (ESV)
Reflection: For the disciples, it seemed all hope was lost. How would your life be different if Jesus had stayed in the tomb?
Sing:
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me
To tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
(American Folk Hymn)
Our sinning goes to the uttermost. But his saving grace goes to the uttermost. And his saving always outpaces and overwhelms our sinning, because he always lives to intercede for us.
– Dane Ortlund in Gentle and Lowly
“Only as we drink down the kindness of the heart of Christ will we leave in our wake, everywhere we go, the aroma of heaven, and die one day having startled the world with glimpses of a divine kindness too great to be boxed by what we deserve.”
– Dane Ortlund in Gentle and Lowly
Sunday: Power – He Is Risen!
Read: Mark 16:1-8
Prayer: Father, thank you for the resurrection – your seal of approval for the sacrifice Jesus made. Thank you for the joy and wonder of a new life with my risen Savior. Thank you for the hope of my own resurrection when Jesus returns. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: Why is each sentence in this prayer a reason to rejoice? How can you express your joy today?
Praise: Sing “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”
Saturday: Pain of Loss and Failure – Struggling Without Hope
Read: Mark 14:26-31, 14:66-72, 15:40-47
Prayer: Father, I cannot imagine this day for Peter. What was it like for him to lose Jesus and fail him all in one day? To struggle without hope? And Father, if Jesus had remained in the grave, I too would be without hope. All would be lost. Help me today to remember how hopeless life would be without the glorious news that tomorrow brings. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What would your life be like if Jesus had stayed in the grave?
Praise: No singing today. Wait with anticipation for tomorrow.
Brian J. Mikul 