Picked to be Fruitful, Part 5

Remember, this passage is right before Jesus is arrested.  Jesus tells them, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” and that is what he is about to do.  I wonder if as he was being crucified th ey remembered his words and if they realized the amazing love they were witnessing.  I wonder if the early Christians heard a call to stand for their faith in these words.  And for us – I warned you that these words could be life-changing – radical.  Christianity is not easy.  I daresay it might even be harder than volleyball.  This kind of love – this kind of discipleship – requires that we lay down our lives.  Surrender all. 

Have you in your life ever been asked to do this?  Have you ever seriously considered laying down your life for God?  For your friends?  Have you done it?  Would you do it?  Would you let go of that which you are holding on to the tightest?  Would you release anger?  Resentment?  Expectations?  Would you lay down your treasures for Christ?  Your time?  Your plans?  Would you let go of your very life?  This passage tells us that we are called to do no less than that. 

Why would we ever do it?

Because we are chosen and loved by God.  And because Jesus says, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”  This kind of friendship – this kind of love – is the only way to find joy.  Imagine that.  Imagine Jesus, saying these words to the disciples, knowing that he is about to be tortured and crucified.  Imagine wirting these words to an early church, facing persecution.  Lay down your life so that your joy may be complete. 

This joy that Jesus speaks about – it is more than happiness.  It is more than pleasure. It is joy – that bone deep joy that comes in being close to God.  It is the joy we are created to experience.  Christ died that we might have this joy.  God gave his son that we might have this joy.  And laying down our lives, accepting our calling to love as God loves – is the only way to reach this kind of joy. 
We were created by God and chosen – picked – given the privilege of being a partner with God in ministry.  We are part of the A-team – not because of who we are or what we have done… not because of who we know or how we might benefit someone else… not because of our skills and not even because of how good we are.  We have been chosen to be a friend of Jesus – a friend of God -- because we are loved by God. 

That’s life changing.  Transformational.  The change that it makes in our lives is that we are now called to model our lives after that love, and in so doing to bear fruit.  To love others as we have been loved.  God has loved us so that we might love others.  So that we might experience joy.

I invite you this week to spend some time connected to God – abiding in God’s presence – and asking yourself where he is calling you to love.  Consider how God’s word will be transformational in your life.  What fruit is he calling you to cultivate?   You have been chosen to be a partner with God – what is he leading you to do?