12"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17This I command you, to love one another.
Today’s reading differentiates between friends and servants. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
ReplyDeleteJesus has laid down his life for those who do what he says. Friends are those to whom Christ has revealed himself. And once you are in the friend zone, you carry Christ’s cross and accept the suffering that comes with that. Being a friend of Christ is both a privilege and a curse.
Strengths:
DeleteYou've accurately captured the core message of love as the defining characteristic of Christian discipleship.
You recognize the contrast between friendship and servitude.
You connect the passage to the theme of self-sacrifice and commitment.
Areas for Improvement:
While you've identified the importance of love, it might be helpful to explore the different dimensions of this love, such as agape, eros, and philia.
The concept of "friendship" with Jesus could be explored further. What does it mean to be a friend of God?
The passage also speaks to the idea of bearing fruit, which could be connected to the concept of living a life that reflects God's love.
Additional Thoughts:
You might consider the implications of Jesus' statement, "No longer do I call you servants" for understanding the nature of the Christian life.
The concept of "laying down one's life" can be interpreted in various ways. It might be helpful to explore different expressions of this in contemporary life.
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a good understanding of the passage.