Friday, June 3 – John 14:18-21

“I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.”

In our passages this week, it has been clear that God values life, and we see that value for life on full display in the life of Jesus. In this passage, Jesus used the contrast of the image of orphans to tell His followers that they would not be left alone in their life or their faith. He emphasized to His followers that He would be with them every step of the way. The promises Jesus gave in this passage reveal God’s value of life.

It’s easy for us to help others by offering temporary fixes, but it’s hard to walk through the process of loving someone every step of the way. There is opportunity to show God’s value of life to those all around us. Helping serve the expectant mom in your congregation or caring for your foster-parent neighbors can be an opportunity to share the love of God and more than a quick fix or a convenient act of service. The promise Jesus gave in this passage came with the challenge to abide in Him as the way we grow in and keep His commandments. Acting in obedience results in great knowledge of and love for God. As we walk with others, He walks with us, and we grow in Him.

• What would it look like to endure with another person in love?
• What are some sacrifices required to serve another person over a long period of time?
• Pray and ask God to show you who He would have you come alongside to love for His sake.