Love one another. Jesus’ command sounds simple and straightforward but sound so out of place spoken on the last night of Jesus’ life, a night of hate, betrayal, rejection. But true love is defined and demonstrated by God.

For Jesus, love is not merely feeling, but commitment and action. He didn’t just speak love, He did love. For Jesus love was sacrifice – self-giving for the unworthy. Jesus' love comes from Himself and is demonstrated on the cross. It is a creative love, evoking in His followers the same kind of unselfish, sacrificial love.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

We often view being grounded as the opposite of living it up, but being connected to Jesus helps us to do both!

Our Good Shepherd is a powerful defense whenever we feel helpless

God has blessed us in such great ways!

Thomas generally does not get much good press in Scripture. We know him as “doubting Thomas,” the name he earned by wanting to touch the risen Jesus in person before he would believe in the resurrection (John 20:25). In his own way, Thomas is a disciple for us and for our times.

Despite his doubting and his questioning and all of his other character flaws, he is among the faithful. By the grace of God, Thomas finally knew and believed that Jesus is the Messiah, who died and rose again for his sins. The doubting disciple found forgiveness, acceptance, and hope.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Jesus is the light that chases away the darkness of hopelessness