Episode 895
Exploring Revolutionary Love: A Deep Dive into John 13:31-35
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.
You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".
Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.
Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The exploration of Jesus's command in John 13:31-35 unfolds as Dr. Brad Miller articulates the radical implications of love as an essential hallmark of discipleship. This passage is presented as a clarion call to embrace a form of love that is revolutionary, characterized not by mere sentiment but as a deliberate practice that challenges the status quo of societal structures. Dr. Miller posits that love must be understood as a commitment to act against the tendencies of violence and exclusion prevalent in our world. The speaker emphasizes that to love as Jesus commanded is to embody a countercultural stance that prioritizes compassion and solidarity, even in the face of adversity.
Moreover, the discussion transitions into the communal dimensions of this commandment, with Dr. Miller insisting that love cannot be isolated to individual experiences; rather, it must be expressed through community. Authentic spirituality, according to the speaker, emerges in the context of relationships and mutual care. This perspective challenges the individualistic tendencies often found in contemporary Christianity, urging believers to take an active role in supporting those marginalized within their communities. The emphasis on communal identity reinforces the notion that faith is lived out in shared experiences and collective action, reflecting the heart of the Gospel message.
In concluding the reflection, Dr. Miller addresses the significance of visible witness, underscoring that the world should recognize Jesus's disciples not by their doctrines or affiliations, but by their love for one another. This prompts a critical reflection on the current state of Christianity in society and the witness it provides. The episode culminates in a call to action, inviting listeners to engage with marginalized communities and to find concrete ways to express love and support. Dr. Miller's insights provide a compelling framework for understanding the transformative nature of love as a foundational element of Christian discipleship.
Takeaways:
- The Gospel of John 13:31-35 articulates the transformative command to love one another as a defining characteristic of discipleship.
- Jesus' directive to love is presented not merely as an emotional sentiment but as an actionable and revolutionary practice.
- The pursuit of love as a communal identity challenges the prevalent individualism found within contemporary spiritual practices.
- Being recognized as a disciple of Jesus hinges not on doctrinal beliefs but predominantly on the manifestation of love in our relationships.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
- voiceofgod daily.com
Transcript
Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:So glad that you joined me in my mission to get the audible word of God into 2 million years.
Speaker A: That's a million people by: Speaker A:We do that by a daily reading from the New Testament.
Speaker A:We use the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:That's a three year cycle of reading through the entire Bible.
Speaker A:We're in year C, Eastertide season.
Speaker A:We make the reading of the Bible understandable, relatable and applicable.
Speaker A:We have a prayer to boot.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that is our website where you can find our free Bible study guide, the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A: e day from the Gospel of John: Speaker A:Reading from the message A new command when he had left, Jesus said, now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him.
Speaker A:The moment God is seen in him, God's glory will be on display in glorifying him.
Speaker A:He He Himself is glorified glory all around.
Speaker A:Children, I am with you only for a short time longer you are going to look high and low for me.
Speaker A:But just as I told the Jews, I'm telling you, where I go, you are not able to come.
Speaker A:Let me give you a new command.
Speaker A:Love one another in the same way I loved you, you love one another.
Speaker A:This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples when you see or when they see the love that you have for each other.
Speaker A:We have a story here about revolutionary love.
Speaker A:That's what this passage is really about, and a radical heart of faith.
Speaker A:And this reflection, we're going to explore these powerful words of Jesus about love as the defining characteristic of discipleship.
Speaker A:So here's three points to ponder.
Speaker A:1.
Speaker A:Love is revolutionary practice.
Speaker A:Jesus presents love not as a mere feeling or oogly googly thing in the gut or pure sentimental value, but as a command, a revolutionary practice that defines the movement of following Jesus in a world of empire, violence and hierarchy.
Speaker A:Choosing love as a central identifier was radically, radically countercultural.
Speaker A:And today we are similarly challenged to make our love our primary political and social strategy, even when fear and hatred and anger seem to be more expedient.
Speaker A:Second point to ponder communal identity.
Speaker A:The emphasis on loving one another suggests that authentic spirituality is inherently communal.
Speaker A:This challenges both individualistic consumer Christianity and private personal spirituality.
Speaker A:True faith is expressed through our relationships and mutual care, particularly for those most marginalized in our communities.
Speaker A:A third point is about visible witness.
Speaker A:Jesus says people will recognize his disciples by their love, not by doctrines, not by worship style, not by political affiliations, but by their love.
Speaker A:This raises challenging questions about how contemporary Christianity is recognized in our society and what it means to be visibly faithful in Jesus's way of love.
Speaker A:So here's your action step for the day.
Speaker A:Choose a group of people in your community or some people you have some understanding of who tend to be marginalized or excluded.
Speaker A:And research organizations that are led by the members of that community, that lead members of that community, not just those serving them.
Speaker A:And find one concrete way to show up in love, whether through financial support, amplifying their voices, prayer, or even joining their efforts.
Speaker A:We're going to come back with a closing prayer here in just a moment, but I do want you to know before we leave you that we have a great gift for you today.
Speaker A:It's a free gift.
Speaker A:You can find it voiceofgod daily.com it is called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:You pick it up and we'll make Bible study in your life.
Speaker A:That issue that you know, that problem that you know that you need to address.
Speaker A:As simple as ABC 1, 2, 3.
Speaker A:You pick it up at voiceofgod daily.com here's our closing prayer.
Speaker A:God, you are a source of love and we confess that we often you have God, you are the source of love and we confess we often choose an easier or different path than love.
Speaker A:We default to judgment or exclusion or self protection or isolationism.
Speaker A:Help us to remember that love isn't just a feeling but a practice, a politics if you will, a way of being in the world.
Speaker A:When we're tempted to make faith complicated, we're remind us of this simple challenging command.
Speaker A:Love one another.
Speaker A:Give us courage to love radically, to love publicly, to love even when it costs us something.
Speaker A:Make our communities be known not for what we oppose, but for how we love.
Speaker A:Amit well, good folks, good people, we are certainly glad that you joined us here today here in the on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:I'll be with you here again tomorrow.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes by 6am every single day.
Speaker A:Hope that you'll join us and bring a friend because that is the way that we reach our goal.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:You hope that you'll join us.
Speaker A:Until tomorrow, then.
Speaker A:Friends, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love.
Speaker A:It doesn't dry up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
