234 Greater Love Has Noone than this That They Lay Down Thier Live for Their Friends A Guided Christian Meditation on John 15:9-13

May 24, 2020

234 Greater Love Has No One Than This, That He Lay Down His Life for His Friends A Guided Christian Meditation on John 15:9-13

I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina:

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.

Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.

Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:

Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Bible verses for Meditation:

John 15:9-13
NIV
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

NABRE
9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Meditation on Scripture:

What is a friend?
May 25th is Memorial Day for us. It is a time when we can remember our fallen warriors who gave the last full measure of devotion and died in military service. There is a certain mystery and awe that people speak about those who have died in combat. When done to protect the innocent and prevent further oppression, it is honorable and a high ideal. The cause of peace should be an even higher priority.

The message that was even more important here for Jesus did not actually have to do with soldiers in combat. It was a prophecy about his own pending death. He knew he was intentionally laying down His life for His friends. Jesus is the tip of the spear in taking the fight to the enemy. This is not an enemy that seeks to just kill us, but far worse. Jesus appeals to this concept directly even before his death was known to his disciples. In the Old Testament God was often portrayed as a Lion of Judah and there is a common metaphor there of God as a warrior. As you battle the darkness that creeps into your life to destroy you, know that you have a warrior who is strong enough to rescue you when you most need it. Your God continually protects you against the forces of evil and can continue to do so.

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.

Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life:
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Updates:

Final Question: What is a friend?

Final Thought: As you ponder that this week I want you to be mindful of how earthly friends can help you overcome hardship. Equally important, consider how the role of God’s friendship is similar and also different from other humans who are your friends. Our friends have influence over us and help shape us into the people we will become. What things would you hope for in a person who would walk with you and help you stay out of danger.

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