A story about living like Jesus
(From the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 23-29)
On the night before he died, Jesus had supper with his friends and talked to them about many things. Here is one thing that he told them.
"We have been friends for a long time, haven't we? During our time together, you have listened carefully to what I have told you and you have watched all the things I have done. By listening to me and watching me, you have found out what God is like. Because you have seen me, now you know what God is like. Because you know me, now you know God."
Jesus looked around the circle of friends seated at the table. "Soon I will be going to heaven to live with God forever. Because I won't be here physically with you, I won't be able to show people what God is like. But you can do that for me. By your words and by your actions, you can help people know God and learn what it feels like to be with God."
"How are we supposed to do that?" one of Jesus' friends asked.
Jesus answered, "Live your lives the way I have lived my life. Love each other generously. Be kind to everyone you meet. Treat all people fairly. God's love will come through you to the people you are with. This will help them get to know God and to grow close to God."
Jesus went on. "Do this and it will feel like God and I have made our home with you. It will feel like you and God and I are a family together."
One of Jesus' friends sighed and shook his head. "Jesus, I'm worried that I'm going to mess things up and disappoint you and God and myself."
"Don't worry. And don't be afraid," Jesus told him. "God's Holy Spirit will come to you. The Holy Spirit will teach each one of you what you need to know. The Holy Spirit will show you what to do. The Holy Spirit will help you remember everything I am telling you tonight."
Jesus looked at his friends. "With God, my loving Father, I have always found peace. My peace I now give to you. He spread his arms out wide and smiled. "Be happy! Be glad! Soon I am going to be living with God! What could be better than that? I am telling this to you now, before it happens, so that when I do go to heaven, you will believe that God and I are one, together forever with each other and always with you."
Questions to think about:
I wonder who you know that helps you feel close to God.
I wonder what it feels like to have God's love moving through you to others.
I wonder if you have ever been afraid or worried about something.
I wonder what Jesus' voice sounds like when he speaks to you.