John 15:9-17 (NRSV)
Read John 15:9-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. Verse 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. Verse 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. Verse 12"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Verse 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. Verse 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. Verse 15I 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. Verse 16You 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. Verse 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Devotion
Sunday morning – time for Holy Communion. A young lad walked up with his mother. He was short and well-dressed. I knelt down and gave him a blessing – “God's love and peace be with you today.” Then I made the sign of the cross on his forehead.
The youngster stepped back, brought his small hand up and rubbed his forehead very hard with the back of his hand. It was as if he was trying to erase what had just happened to him. The people in the first two pews saw this action and laughed quietly. So did I.
I wonder if Jesus was laughing a little as well and saying, “Go ahead, my child, try and erase the mark I’ve placed upon you. It won't work. You've been marked with the sign of my cross and my love forever. You are mine. You did not choose me but I chose you. I will never let you go.”
Prayer
Loving God, in our beginnings you have the first word and in our endings you will have the last. You have called us by name and we are yours. Amen.