Chosen family

Today: John 13-15

"One of the amazing things about marriage is that you have the opportunity to choose a member of your family." I don't remember who said this...but I heard it at a wedding last weekend.

I thought about this quote today when I read Jesus' words in chapter 15:

This is my command:

Love one another the way I loved you.

This is the very best way to love.

Put your life on the line for your friends.

You are my friends when you do the things I command you.

I'm no longer calling you servants

because servants don't understand

hat their master is thinking and planning.

No, I've named you friends

because I've let you in on everything

I've heard from the Father.
"You didn't choose me,

remember;

I chose you,

and put you in the world to bear fruit,

fruit that won't spoil.

As fruit bearers,

whatever you ask the Father

in relation to me,

he gives you.
"But remember the root command:

Love one another.

There are so many things I could talk about in this passage. First of all, I love the fact that God chose us (see more of my thoughts on that topic here). That's mind-blowing in itself when you think about it.

Second, the fact that He calls us friends? That He wants to let us in on what He hears from the Father? Whoa. Most people think it would be amazing to be a close friend of a celebrity (take your pick--Oprah, the President, Bono, Michael Jordan--let alone God Himself).

Finally, I think the command for us to "Love one another" must be pretty stinkin' important, no? In this section of Scripture alone, it's repeated twice (and even more often in the full version of today's passage).

But it's tragically sad that I personally know Christians who are at odds or estranged from other Christians...let alone other people who are also in need of their love. Let's get over ourselves, our hurts and our issues--no matter how deep or painful they may seem. Following God's instruction is much more important than those things could ever be. More importantly, God chose us all to be His friends, His family. And love can cover a multitude of sins. I believe that with all my heart.

Tomorrow: John 16-18