The Playbook

READ 
John 14:15-31, John 15:1-17 

CONSIDER 

My brother has been a football coach for 20+ years. He started at the middle school level, moving up the ranks from various assistant positions until he became the eighth grade head coach. Along the way, he also helped at the high school until they moved him to that level. Currently, he’s an assistant coach for varsity. Because of this, my brother has seen students progress from sixth all the way through twelfth grade.  

The students who do the best and the years the team thrived the most weren’t due to talent on the field or the sidelines. The most success came when everyone ran the plays as they were written. Why? The middle and high school teams all ran the same plays from the same book. The more they studied it, the closer they followed it, the longer they spent with it – the better the whole team was.  

When we adhere to the teachings of Jesus, we’re all running plays from the same book. The more we study, the closer we follow, the longer we spend time with him – the better we are. Why? Jesus’ teachings unite us.   

 
REFLECT 

Christians in the West like to lean into the teachings of Jesus we like and avoid or editorialize the ones we don’t. Take love, for example. Paul unpacks some of Jesus’ teaching on love by writing, “love is patient, love is kind.” We like that. It’s pretty easy to respect. BUT, what about when he writes, “love keeps no record of wrongs”? We keep score cards, holding grudges and withholding forgiveness.  

Unity comes through submission to Christ. Total surrender of my will to his – in all the fine print – and that’s hard. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth himself. The Holy Spirit will affirm what is a correct application of Jesus’ teaching and will correct those things that are off track. Then, it’s up to you to submit to his will and follow with fidelity.  

PRAY 

Holy Spirit, lead me in truth. Do not allow me to put my will onto you. I want to do what Jesus’ teaches. Lead me in his Way. Amen.