Another Quality of a Disciple
Last week we saw how Jesus showed His disciples how to serve with a humble heart. During His ministry, he taught and even showed them how to be a true servant during the time they were together. What was another quality that Jesus wanted a disciple to possess? After they had finished the meal of the last supper, Jesus spoke of a quality that he wanted to be the hallmark of their ministry. This was to be the foundation of their character as a disciple. In Chapter 13 of the gospel of John, Jesus said “ A new commandment I give you, that you have love for one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 33-34
The disciples had been with Jesus for a long time as he completed His ministry on earth and wanted to help them get ready for theirs. They had seen so many examples of the love and compassion Jesus showed for others. They saw how this love and grace changed the lives of so many, as it does today. But it is easy to love someone that loves you. Just see the love a child has for his or her mom or dad. But what if someone you love, whether a fellow believer or not, causes you pain and heartache by something he or she did? It can be so hurtful that it can cause you to lose trust in your relationship with that person. We have all been hurt by someone we love. Parents, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, close friends and family….. can recall the instances that someone’s words or behavior brought disappointment and also loss of trust. Our sinful nature not only can hurt the ones we love, but it brings that pain to our Heavenly Father too. So how have we resolved those times we have brought loved ones those disappointments? How can we we give forgiveness? How can we mend the splintered trust created by a hurt?
We must look to the cross and the love Jesus had for the disciples. He loved them, as He does us, so much that He went to the cross for the payment for all our sins by His sacrifice. For all our missteps and hurt that causes God’s spirit to grieve, we have been forgiven by this one act of sacrifice. But we are human and it is difficult for us to forgive. Forgiveness can take time and also there is that foundation of trust that has been fractured. Trust can be defined as the reliance on the character, ability and truth of someone in which we have put our confidence in that person. It is not easy to repair someone’s trust when we have fractured it. We may need the help of Christ based counseling to bring together those that need to start the mending process. It will take hard and honest work to heal the mistakes one makes. Many truthful conversations and encouragement will be needed during that time for reconciliation. Also, we must know that there will be more days when we will disappoint. Hopefully we will learn and not repeat……We will need to love like Jesus loved His disciples to find the peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lastly, we must look to the love Paul told the Corinthians. This Christ-centered love is the greatest gift a person can possess. It is a love that is “patient, kind, not jealous or arrogant, slow to anger….does not rejoice in wrongful acts but rejoices in the truth”. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5. It is able to find a way of reconciliation when suffering a wrong. The disciples, like us, needed a love for each other to encourage and strengthen them for the hardships and suffering that life and following Christ brings. They would be rejected and suffer while they proclaimed the good news and teaching of Christ with their words and by their deeds. But, they knew their reward. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trials, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 So, let us use our gift of God’s love during each day we are given.
A couple of songs I hope you will enjoy;