Rev Michael Anokye: LENT – WEDNESDAY, 20TH MARCH 2024
LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS JESUS LOVED YOU.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to express my gratitude for Your profound and unconditional love. You sent Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sins so that I could be forgiven. I do not deserve Your love, but You gave it to me.
I ask for Your help to show Your love to everyone, even those who may hurt me. Please give me the strength to love others as Jesus loved me selflessly and with forgiveness. I thank You for everything You have done for me and for allowing me to share Your love with others. Amen.
Reading:
Mark 11:1-11 Read it HERE
Jesus sent two disciples ahead to find a colt. They found it, and people let them go when they explained that Jesus needed it. Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem, where people spread their cloaks on the road and shouted, “Hosanna!” Jesus entered the temple courts and went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
John 13:34-35 – Read the chapter HERE
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Reflection:
Every day, God wants you to know how much He loves you. Others may say they no longer love you or act as if they do not care about you. However, God promises that He will never abandon or forsake you and that nothing can separate you from His love.
In the past, we were enemies of God, and we were at war with Him. Our sins separated us from Him, creating a massive wall of hatred between us. However, the King of Peace seeks to reconcile and reunite with us and desires to be our friend and family member. God acted out of love for us and sent His Son Jesus to break down the barriers of enmity. Through His sacrifice, we can be forgiven, accepted, and adopted into His family, the King’s family.
As a follower of Jesus, you should comprehend the significance of the donkey He rode on. This animal symbolises Jesus as a rescuing King who came to help humanity. Similarly, each of us has received a unique gift from God in the shape of spiritual powers. We are encouraged to use our gifts to help others and improve their lives. According to 1 Peter 4:10, “God has given every one of you one of his many spiritual gifts. Use them effectively to help one another.” As a result, we should use our talents to benefit and elevate others. By doing so, we are representing Jesus as our servant King and fulfilling our purpose in life. So, let us serve others with the love and compassion Jesus demonstrated during His time on earth. Amen
Let us Pray:
Dear Lord, I know that You want all Your children to love others just as Christ loved us. However, sometimes, my love is weak and far from what You desire of me. Please fill me with the love of our Lord Jesus Christ so that I can love others in the same way that Christ loved me. I pray that Your love will pour into my soul and that I may be used as a vessel for Christ’s love to flow out to others I come into contact with. Amen.
Discussion Pointers:
Jesus calls us to a life that values, serves, and loves others. He not only calls us to live this way but also sets an example for us to follow. However, at times, we fall short of living up to Christ’s love.
I want to ask you to reflect on the level of love between you and your family members.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest level of love you can offer to your spouse or family member, where would you rate your current level of love?
If you feel your love for your family members is below 10, what steps can you take to improve this and bring it up to date?