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
Thursday and Friday we remember two men of church history. Dunstan (d. 988) led the Church of England for nearly 40 years. He accomplished much, including the education of the people, the rebuilding of churches and the revival of monasticism. But he suffered much persecution early in life and was forced to flee at least twice. Had he not had powerful friends, he would surely not be remembered for his accomplishments.
Erik, king of Sweden (d. 1160), is remembered as a martyr and as a missionary who succeeded briefly in bringing Christianity to Finland. We might not agree with his methods (a crusade), but Christians in Finland today perhaps wish his efforts had not failed, waiting 100 years for the church to be accepted there. Through him Turku still continues to be an important spiritual site.
We have our past heroes of the faith, recognizing that they were, at times, all too human.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the people who went before us and brought your light to dark places. Amen.