Each Wednesday, I am posting another verse of John 15 (Vine and Branches). I will "recite" what we have learned so far. If you wish to join me in this challenge, you can either email your "recitation" or post it as a comment. (Let me know if you see any mistakes that I miss.)
John 15:1-12
1. I am the true vine and my father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away,
and every branch that beareth fruit,
he purgeth that it may bring for more fruit.
3. Ye are clean through the word which I have given unto you.
4. Abide in me and I in you;
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine,
no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine and ye are the branches.
If a man abide in me and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit,
for without me ye can do nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me,
he is cast forth as a branch and is withered;
and men gather them and cast them into the fire
and they are burned.
7. If ye abide in me and I in you,
ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.
8. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit.
9. As the father hath loved me,
so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.
10. If ye keep my commandments,
so shall ye abide in my love;
even as I keep my father's commandments and abide in his love.
11. These things have I spoken unto you,
that you might have joy, and that your joy might be full.
12. This is my commandment,
that ye love one another as I have loved you,
so shall ye be my disciples.
CORRECTIONS: looked 4 times, Vs.3 "Now", Vs.5 "He that abideth", Vs. 8 "so shall ye be my disciples", Vs. 10
John 15:13
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
The human heart is in awe of anyaone who is willing to plunge them selves into the claws of death to save another one. We honor them; we give medals to them; we write books and movies about them; we make legends about them; we put their names on plaques -- and rightly so.
It is our nature to be selfish, to protect ourselves. To die on purpose goes against our instinct to survive. So, when we her of someone willing to give up their life for someone else, we stand is silent respect for the inner strength and bravery we wish we had in us.
This verse mentions giving a life for a friend. Jesus gave his life for those who hated him. He loved us anyway; he loved us first; he loved us before we loved him.
There is no greater love!
Lord, give us Your love for others around us, that we would no more think selfishly of ourselves, but willing to give of our time, our money, our strength, ourselves for others. Amen
2 comments:
Thank you for this post. I'm taking a moment today to reflect on what Jesus did for me.
I have to admit that I was afraid to pray with you. It's the selfishness in me.
smooches,
Larie
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