Pastor Brian McCormack spends time unpacking John 12:15-17 in which we are invited to walk across the bridge of heavier commandments back to the hope that they ultimately provide. In doing this, we are confronted with the truth that while there are obstacles in the way of hope, we are equipped to overcome the heavy with the promises that Jesus provides.

Let's read together.

Read

12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.

Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…‍

Examine

"This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you."

• Why do you think loving others is a command and not a promise?

• Do you feel loved by Jesus? In what ways have you taken that love and given it to others in the same way?

‍"I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing."

• Why do you think Jesus says this? Are you surprised that he replaces the word "servant" with "friend"?

• How often do you ask Jesus to tell you what the Father is doing?

• Do you believe that you are invited into that kind of intimate relationship?

‍“I appointed you to go and produce fruit..."

• What does being appointed to produce fruit mean to you?

• Pastor Brian pointed out three obstacles to love. Which one resonates most: hurry, worry or fury?

• How can you lay those obstacles down?

Apply

"We need to stop settling for moments, and shoot for movement.” A moment with God isn't friendship with God. What does movement in your human friendships look like? How does that translate to mission with Jesus?

‍“Do not surrender to a spirit of hurry, worry, or fury.” Loving others isn't easy. Surrender is a gift from God. How would you describe surrender in your walk with Jesus? How does it differ from apathy?

‍"Every time you are accused, you are invited to lay your life down." Have you been accused of anything lately? How do you think Jesus would respond to those accusations?

Act

Re-read today's passage and write down every "I" statement that Jesus says.

Use Jesus' words as a guide for praying your way across the bridge from heavy to hope this week.

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