John…on Love

It would have to be a powerful reason to get this kid out of bed, before the sun came up, to go do chores. There was! I would be where Grandpa was, doing what Grandpa does, listening to him call the cows to eat, in French, no less! I loved my Grandpa Lacquement so much that I would arise with him and follow his every step until all the animals were fed. Then we would go in the house and wash up for the wonderful biscuits that Grandma Lacquement would have waiting. What a relationship! I will always cherish the memories of the love we shared. They are gone but the example of Grandpa’s love for God and for me is a major imprint in my life and still echos in the way I try to live as a grandparent now.

Even more important than that, Grandpa’s example taught me the desire to be where God is, doing what God does and waiting for His words to join Him in His work. “Always be ready…”, Grandpa would say.

John, the beloved disciple, speaks of this kind of love in action as he relates how Jesus explains His mission of love one more time to his followers…those who wanted to be where He was always.
Read deeply, hang on every word of our Savior and Lord.

John 12, The Message
A Grain of Wheat Must Die
20-21 There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: “Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?”

22-23 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, “Time’s up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24-25 “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.

26 “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

27-28 “Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? ‘Father, get me out of this’? No, this is why I came in the first place. I’ll say, ‘Father, put your glory on display.’”

A voice came out of the sky: “I have glorified it, and I’ll glorify it again.”

29 The listening crowd said, “Thunder!”

Others said, “An angel spoke to him!”

30-33 Jesus said, “The voice didn’t come for me but for you. At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.” He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death.

34 Voices from the crowd answered, “We heard from God’s Law that the Messiah lasts forever. How can it be necessary, as you put it, that the Son of Man ‘be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35-36 Jesus said, “For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn’t destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don’t know where you’re going. As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You’ll be children of light.”

Dear Heavenly Father, Yes, I will arise and go to Jesus! Yes, I want to be where you are! Yes, I’m THAT kid who wants to be where you are and follow your every step…a child of Your Light in this dark world. Yes, Lord, I’m ready. Thank you for this kind of love that is more than we can imagine! Thank you for forgiving us of all our sin. Thank you for allowing us to be where you are.
In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.