Legacy of Love in Jesus 耶稣的爱的传承
Dexu Xia
As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
Today's Scripture John 13:31-36
Today's Insights John’s words which close the section preceding John 13:31-36 are elegant and laden with meaning: “And it was night” (v. 30). Here John implies much more than the mere passage of daylight. Judas has been possessed by Satan himself (v. 27) and has left the company of the disciples (v. 30). At this pivotal point, Jesus says, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him” (v. 31). It may seem odd that Christ speaks triumphant words at such a dark time. Judas has left to betray Him, Peter will deny Him (v. 38), and the disciples (except John) will abandon Him (Matthew 26:56). Yet Jesus prayed, “I have brought you [His Father] glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). In Christ’s death and resurrection, the Father revealed the full scope of His love for us.
Today's Devotional
In Sweden, there’s a concept known as döstädning. It literally means “death cleaning.” The idea is that as we grow older, we should stop accumulating “stuff” and begin to cut out the clutter we have amassed throughout our lives. “Swedish death cleaning” is actually a gift of love to children and friends, for it simplifies for them the task of wading through what we leave behind. As believers in Jesus, at a certain age we think about our legacy—what survives us. This is often framed in terms of money, inheritance, or charitable giving—and there’s much to be said for that. But it might be helpful to look at Jesus in His final hours with His disciples: “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” (John 13:36). In two verses (vv. 34-35), He uses the word love or loved four times—His legacy was love. He told them: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (v. 34). It may be good to do some “Swedish death cleaning” in our lives, removing clutter to leave behind only the most important things. But it really isn’t about things or money. The most important legacy you can leave behind is your love for Jesus. When children and friends remember you as one who loved Jesus, that’s the best gift of all. It gives new meaning to the phrase “left behind.”
Reflect & Pray How do your family and friends see your love for Jesus demonstrated? How might you share that love more openly?
Dear God, thank You for Your love and for the gift of Jesus in my life. Please help me to show Your love to those around me.
我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。约翰福音 13:34
今日经文 约翰福音 13:31-36
今日心得 约翰在他写的福音书13章31-36节前的结尾部分说的话优雅而富有意义：“天色已晚”（30节）。这里约翰暗示的远不止表面意思。犹大已被撒旦附身，并离开了门徒（27，30节）。在这个关键时刻，耶稣说：“如今人子得了荣耀，神也在人子身上得了荣耀”（31节）。基督在如此黑暗的时刻宣讲胜利似乎很奇怪。犹大已离去背叛他，彼得将否认他（38节），门徒（约翰除外）都将抛弃他（马太福音26章56节）。然而耶稣祈祷说：“我已在地上荣耀你（父神），成就你所托付我的事”（约翰福音17章4节）在基督的死亡和复活中，天父展示了对我们全部的爱。
今天的灵修 在瑞典，有一个概念叫做 döstädning。它的字面意思是“死亡清理”。这个想法是，随着年龄的增长，我们应该停止积累“东西”，开始清理我们一生积累的杂物。“瑞典式死亡清理”实际上是给孩子和朋友的爱的礼物，因为它简化了他们整理我们留下的东西的任务。
作为耶稣的信徒，我们在一定年龄会思考我们的遗产，我们能留下什么。这通常与金钱、遗产或慈善捐赠有关——对此有很多话要说。但看看耶稣与门徒们最后时刻的对话可能会有帮助：“我所去的地方，你们现在不能跟去，后来却要跟去”（约翰福音13:36）。在34-35两节经文中，他四次使用爱或被爱这个词，他的遗产就是爱。他告诉他们：“我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱”（34节）。
在我们的生活中做一些“瑞典式死亡清理”可能是件好事，清除杂物，只留下最重要的东西。但是你留下的最重要的东西，真的与物质或金钱无关。你能留下的最重要的遗产是你对耶稣的爱。当孩子和朋友记得你是爱耶稣的人时，那就是最好的礼物。它赋予了“留下”一词新的含义。
反思和祈祷 你的家人和朋友如何看待你对耶稣的爱？你会如何更公开地分享这份爱？
亲爱的上帝，感谢你的爱，感谢你赐予我耶稣。请帮助我向周围的人展示你的爱。