Henri Nouwen shared in Letters to Marc About Jesus that, “I sometimes get the impression that our prisons are crammed full of people who couldn’t express their need to be loved except by flailing about furiously and hurting others…Whether we do violence to others or to ourselves, what we long for in our heart is a nonviolent, peaceful communion in which we know ourselves to be secure and loved.” When people are the most unlovable is when they need the most love. Henri also wrote, “Jesus is the revelation of God’s unending, unconditional love for us human beings. Everything that Jesus had done, said, and undergone is meant to show us that the love we most long for is given to us by God.” The apostle Paul shared this statement about God’s love, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV).

 

God loves everyone. He loves those who reciprocate his love, those who ignore him and his love, as well as those who deny Christ or persecute Jesus’ followers. Many people who are not Christians within the world and our community seem to be able to express love in limited ways with those who love them. Yet Christ taught and commanded his followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV). In his book, Henri wrote, “If you wish to learn the love of God, you have to begin by praying for your enemies.” When is the last time you prayed for an enemy? The journey towards loving our enemies begins with prayer. It you don’t pray for your enemies, today is the perfect day to start!

 

Throughout 2021, you are invited to focus on living with Jesus at the center of your life. To help us with Living Consistent with Christ, we are continuing our message series connected to Henri Nouwen’s book, Letters to Marc About Jesus. If you would like to read Henri’s book during our sermon series, you can purchase it through Amazon.com, ChristianBook.com, or Cokesbury.com.

 

Sunday (5/9)

This week you are invited to read part of the hymn, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” to begin your devotional time with the Lord each day, then read the daily Bible verses, and conclude your time praying the prayer listed below which is an adaption from The Book of Common Prayer, or a prayer of your own, to help you live the virtue of love, just as Jesus lived it.

 

Hymn: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” by Charles Wesley (UM Hymnal No. 384)

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down;

fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

 

Prayer: An adaption of the “Sixth Sunday of Easter” prayer from The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

O God, who has prepared for those who love you

such good things that they pass human understanding:

Pour into our hearts a measure of your love that fills us to overflowing, so that we can respond by loving you, as well as loving others, including those closest to us, and our enemies.

May we love you with all that we are and above everything else,

as we express our love by worshipping you daily, being obedient

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

 

Monday (5/10)

Read part of the hymn lyrics of “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” listed above as an invitation for Christ to be with you in a special way during your devotional time.

 

Read Jesus’ message about God’s love in John 3:16-18. What does this message from Jesus mean to you? Why?

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ message using the prayer listed above or using your own words.

 

Tuesday (5/11)

Read part of the hymn lyrics of “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” listed above to help prepare your heart and mind for time with the Lord.

 

Read Jesus’ summary of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), which is known as the “Golden Rule,” in Matthew 7:12. Seek to live according to the Golden Rule today.

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ message using the prayer listed above or using your own words.

 

Wednesday (5/12)

Read part of the hymn lyrics of “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” listed above.

 

Read Matthew 22:34-40. Of the 613 commandments in the Old Testament, Jesus boils them down to two commandments. Notice what they have in common. Seek to live according to the greatest commandments today.

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ message using the prayer listed above or using your own words.

 

Thursday (5/13)

Read part of the hymn lyrics of “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” listed above to help prepare your heart and mind for time with the Jesus.

 

Read John 13:34-35 when Jesus shared a new commandment with his disciples. How is this commandment different than the greatest commandments revealed in Matthew 22:34-40? Some people refer to this new commandment as the “Platinum Rule.” What does this new commandment require of you in regards to how you love your family members, friends, and other believers?

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ new commandment using the prayer listed above or using your own words.

 

Friday (5/14)

Read part of the hymn lyrics of “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” listed above.

 

Read Jesus’ message in John 15:9-17. Seek to obey his message today.

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ message using the prayer listed above or using your own words.

 

Saturday (5/15)

Read part of the hymn lyrics of “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” listed above to help prepare your heart and mind to tune in during your time set apart with the Spirit of Christ.

 

Read Jesus’ message in Matthew 5:43-48. How does this message compare to the other messages you have read this past week that were shared by Christ? How are you going to seek to live the love described in these verses today and throughout your life?

 

Pray for your enemies.

 

Consider observing the Sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online on a computer.