This Sunday’s image of the life the risen Christ shares with us is the image of friendship. We are called to serve others as Jesus came to serve; but for John’s gospel, the image of servanthood is too hierarchical, too distant, to capture the essence of life with Christ. Friendship captures the love, the joy, the deep mutuality of the relationship into which Christ invites us. This is the mutual love of Christian community commanded by Christ and enabled by the Spirit. The readings inspire and compel us to love one another and see one another as God does. For those who have experienced great relationships in their lives and for those who have never yet quite tasted that sustaining fruit, Jesus shows how much he loves us and the ways to cultivate deeper relationships. Jesus laid down his life to show his great and triumphant love. This Sunday, TLLC member Pastor Dave Seddelmeyer will help us remember that we’re invited to love expansively and experience the joy of friendship with Jesus and through the body of Christ.
image: The Art of Letting Go II by Cody F. Miller. Copyright © Cody F. Miller. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the artist. www.codyfmiller.com