Today is Maundy Thursday. It’s not as well-known as Good Friday, Easter morning, or even Palm Sunday. Some churches hold special services; some don’t. Either way, it’s a very significant day. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin translation of Jesus’ words in John 13:34. “Mandatum novum” means “new commandment.” This new commandment is to … Continue reading And we are its hands
love one another
Return hatred with love
If you play hockey in a full-contact league, do not be surprised if you get body-checked. If you go outside when it’s raining, do not be surprised if you get wet. And if you follow Jesus, do not be surprised if the world hates you. The apostle John says that very thing in 1 John … Continue reading Return hatred with love
Failure doesn’t disqualify you
Jesus calls us to love one another. What’s more is that he provides himself as an example to emulate. “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Since he would lay down his life for us, that’s a pretty tall order! We are summoned to self-sacrificial love. Today I’m here … Continue reading Failure doesn’t disqualify you
Helping someone in their sea of alligators
In John 13:34 Jesus gave this new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Sounds nice. But what is love? When you look at the use of this word in the New Testament here is what you find. To love someone in this way means acknowledging that … Continue reading Helping someone in their sea of alligators
Desperate times call for…
Desperate times call for desperate measures. It’s an expression we’ve all heard. Maybe even used. Think of a hail Mary pass near the end of a football game. Or the person who is in such financial ruin that the only thing they can think of doing to help their situation is to rob a bank. … Continue reading Desperate times call for…
Love is important to God—and to his people
The past several devotionals have been about hearing (or discerning) God’s voice in our lives. We’ve talked about the importance of the Bible, prayer, seeking the counsel of other godly people, and being humble. Here’s something else to consider: love. If you think you’re receiving some sort of message for God, and it does not … Continue reading Love is important to God—and to his people
Violence vs. Love
“Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). Violence upsets me. Does it upset you? I’m deeply saddened by the death of children. Perhaps this is a strange way to say it, but even though I’m shocked at the presence of real evil in our world, I’m not surprised by it. That itself is a reason to … Continue reading Violence vs. Love
God took our heads out
Eugene Nida was a famous Bible translator. He tells a story about a missionary and a man from West Africa. The Bible was being translated into the local Bambara language. The translator wanted to know how to translate the word “redeemed” so that the locals would understand what God has done for us in Jesus. … Continue reading God took our heads out
Love one another: The meaning of Maundy Thursday
Today is Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin translation of Jesus’ words in John 13:34. “Mandatum novum” means “new commandment.” This new commandment is to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We could spend a lifetime pondering and applying those words. And we do. … Continue reading Love one another: The meaning of Maundy Thursday
Love and hate both take energy
For several weeks I’ve been thinking about Jesus’ encounter with the woman from Samaria. Something which would have made it particularly noteworthy in the 1st century would have been the history of bad blood between the Jews and Samaritans. After the exile, the Samaritan’s didn’t support the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem; in the … Continue reading Love and hate both take energy
The Up Devotional 