JOHN 13:31-35
If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples. (John 13:35, Good News version)
I love this beautiful passage of scripture, where Jesus reminds us that even though
he is not going to be on earth with us much longer that we have a responsibility: we
must love one another as he has loved us. And when we do that people will recognize
us as his disciples. Jesus gives us a challenge—an opportunity—to be evangels.
For me this message is most clear when I am participating in mission work—being
the church outside the walls of a church building. In my local community I have participated
in many activities serving people that are amazed that “the” church would help
them when they felt so undeserving. We share a meal, share a story, and share life.
“The” church would accept them just as they are—
no expectations—God’s love shown through ordinary
folks to ordinary folks.
I have participated in many Regional mission
trips. Each of them has been meaningful in different
ways. I remember the first trip we took to the
New Orleans area after Katrina. I know that I had
never seen such devastation. The damage was so
wide spread it went on for miles. I could not imagine
what folks who had lived there were going through.
what folks who had lived there were going through.Horrible loss and a future that was unknown. We
worked hard, but because the damage was so immense
I wondered about our small contribution and
if it would be enough. As we completed our week
with dinner and sight-seeing in the French Quarter I
got my answer. Strangers we met told us how much
our work meant to them—how, if it had not been
for “the” church—they would not see so much accomplished.
God’s love shown through hard work and caring.
“The” church—where the love we have and
share with one another is being Disciples of Christ!
Prayer: Creator and sustainer, thank you for giving us the challenge and the opportunity
to be evangels, to be “the” church. May we be “the” church in such a
way that strangers are grateful for our presence.
Amen.
Sue Tarleton is a member of the Woodland Christian Church and
Program Assistant for the Annual Meeting for the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) of Northern California-Nevada