What threads/themes/intersection(s) did you find this week?
This week’s passages are:
John 15:9-17: Jesus calls his followers to love one another just as he has loved them. There is no greater than to lay down one’s life, as Jesus does, for one’s friends. Through this obedience to Jesus’ command to love we bear fruit that lasts.
1 John 5:1-6: When we love God and keep God’s commandments, we love God’s children. It is by this love that we know that we are born of God, and it is this faith that overcomes the world.
Acts 10:44-48: As Peter preaches to the Gentile believers in Cornelius’ house, the Holy Spirit comes on them and they begin to speak with other tongues. Peter then baptizes them confirming that God’s salvation is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews.
Psalm 98: An exhortation to all creation to praise God for the wonderful works God has done, revealing God’s righteousness to all nations and bringing God’s justice into the world among all people.
Questions for these passages:
How does these passages point to Jesus?
How does these passages connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does these passages shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
My Story Threads:
Intersections/Themes for Easter Sunday:
The Inclusivity of God's Spirit
Acts 10:44-48: Here's a powerful moment where the Holy Spirit falls on all who heard the word, not just a select few. This includes Gentiles, which was a big deal back then. It shows that the Spirit’s embrace is wide, reaching beyond traditional boundaries, and everyone’s invited to the party.
1 John 5:1-6: This passage echoes the universal call to belong to God’s family, stating that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. It's about a faith that breaks down barriers and unites us all.
Love as the Foundation of Faith
John 15:9-17: Jesus talks about remaining in His love and commands us to love each other as He has loved us. It's not just any love; it's a sacrificial, all-in kind of love that defines how we should interact with one another.
1 John 5:1-6: Connects loving God and loving each other as intertwined commands. You can’t have one without the other—it’s a package deal.
Obedience as an Expression of Love
John 15:9-17: Obedience here isn’t about following rules because we have to; it’s about sticking to Jesus’ teachings because we love Him and trust in His way of life.
1 John 5:1-6: Talks about overcoming the world through our faith and obedience, which are not burdensome when they’re done out of love for God.
Joy
Psalm 98: Calls us to sing a new song to the Lord for His marvelous deeds, encouraging us to celebrate the salvation and justice He brings to the world.
Acts 10:44-48: The spontaneous baptism and the joy that comes from realizing that God’s Spirit is for everyone is a cause for celebration, much like the new song praised in Psalm 98.
Impact of God’s Love
Psalm 98: Illustrates a scene where not only people but also rivers, mountains, and the seas rejoice over God’s righteous rule.
Acts 10:44-48 and John 15:9-17: Both depict the expansive and inclusive nature of Jesus' mission, where love leads to wider circles of fellowship and communion with God.