Page 16 - Living Light Spring 2024

Friday March 15 - In the know
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.” John 17:25
I wonder what it means for you to know that Jesus was sent by the Father? For me, if I’m honest, I know that too often I take God’s presence in my life for granted. However, when I take a moment to reflect on the grand scale of God’s plan of salvation, it blows my mind. To know that from the beginning, the Father, the Son and the Spirit had in mind how humanity would be restored into right relationship with their creator is amazing. By sending Jesus as our Saviour who would set things right, it was made possible for us to be rescued when we turn to him – rescued from our own rebellion as well as the lies and destruction of the enemy. Also, Jesus’ coming means there’s redemption available for all that has gone wrong and will continue to go wrong until he returns.
This knowledge brings with it not only a sense of wonder, but also great comfort. Because we can see the immense love of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in the sending of Jesus, we can be confident he is for us. He isn’t just a distant and holy God, but he’s also one who comes close like a friend and a brother, and he has sent his Spirit to live in us, bringing his transformation to our hearts and lives.
Thank you, Father, for sending your Son and ‘leaving your Spirit till the work on earth is done.’ Amen.
Saturday March 16 - Full of God’s love
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them...” John 17:26
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is where we find the definition of love. It’s there that the Apostle Paul unpacks love’s many attributes for us. He explains that love is patient and kind; it’s not envious or boastful. It’s not proud, rude, self-seeking or easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs and rejoices in the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Love never fails!
This is the type of unconditional, giving love that our hearts long for, but the only way we can experience this is in relationship with God. Even the best human can only aspire to love in this way, but it is God’s nature, so he can only love in this way. This is the love the Father has for the Son, and the Son for the Father, and it’s the love that is offered freely to us. We need only turn to Jesus, accept what he did for us on the cross, and it is ours.
After the other things we’ve considered in Jesus’ prayer for us prior to his arrest and crucifixion – things like unity, glory and heaven – this was how Jesus chose to conclude his prayer, by focusing on love. He prayed that the love the Father has for the Son would be in us, even as he is in us, because when that’s the case, we become truly alive.
Loving God, help me to really receive and live in the love that’s mine because of Jesus. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY