One Rule to Follow Jesus
Jesus Christ gave us one simple rule for us to follow Him and be known as His disciples in an ever-changing world.
To better understand the meaning of this one simple rule, let me tell you a story: Once upon a time, there was a group of people. Around 70 men, not counting the women. They had decided to follow a man who presented an exciting lifestyle. For them, it was an exciting idea. Perhaps it was the thought of having the freedom to go wherever, point fingers at their enemies, be financed by women to do as they please, and ultimately help the man they follow establish a material kingdom, with the promise of possible royal and spiritual authority. With all these promised rewards, it was a no-brainer, easy peasy.
Misunderstood perception of Christ’s purpose
How wrong they probably were in their thinking. So much so that when hardships started to appear, only 12 remained. Not only that, one of the twelve decided to be unfaithful to the Divine Master and gave Him to the self-named enemies of His preaching.
Now, here comes the cherry on top: at His unjust sentence and crucifixion, the ones who stood next to Him were His mother, the youngest of His disciples, and the majority of the women who also followed and financed His work. Where were the disciples? For what had they forsaken their master?
At that moment of great suffering, what do you think He did? He uttered to God and to all who witnessed this moment: “Eli, Eli, lema sabacthani?”, that is, “My God, My God, for what have you forsaken me?”
“For what?” That was His question. What was the purpose? The answer is His Glorification that came through God, and through the incarnation of His one rule: The Divine Love. Jesus showed us that Life is more than what our eyes can perceive and showed mercy to the disciples who had forsaken Him.
For what purpose?
In reality, that question the Begotten Son made wasn't to God, because He is the Firstborn from the dead as a result of His Faithful Testimony of God’s Love.
The question is to us, humanity: “For what have we forsaken Him?”
It is easy to condemn Judas as the supreme enemy and forget that we are probably being worse than he is, right now. Don't be mistaken, Judas has already repented. Just like all the other disciples who weren’t present at the time that Christ most needed.
That is why our life, our Christian Life, is one of Repentance. And our Divine Master, in His immeasurable mercy, revealed to us the Heavenly Order that we need to follow for that.
Christ’s Consummated Action of Love
It was a moment where, before giving it to His disciples, Jesus exemplified it by forgiving Judas before the consummation of his treasonous act. Why? Because if Jesus didn't send him away, what do you think all the disciples would have done to him? Exactly what you are thinking right now. The same atrocity the disciples would have ended up committing if Christ hadn’t sent Judas away is what humanity does every time an enemy is elected.
Jesus exemplified His Supreme Order up to the last supper, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and beyond. But for Him to bring that, He needed to make the final act of love among the 12 disciples, and it was the expulsion of Judas from the supper, because the ignorant disciple wasn't ready to receive this revelation. And that act was what consummated the Divine Resurrected’s Glorification:
The New Commandment
(Gospel of Jesus, according to John 13:31-35)
31 When he had gone out, Jesus then said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and in Him God is glorified.
32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself and will immediately glorify Him.
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek Me. And as I said to the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
34 A New Commandment I give to you: Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. Only by this shall all of you be recognized as My disciples, if you have the same love for one another.”
Our Calling to Love like Christ
“For what” are you leaving Christ at this moment? “For what” are you putting aside His Love? “For what” are you not having a Life immersed in the Love of God? Answer this, honestly, and you will receive the mercy of Christ in your life. He will give you the strength to face the sentence of your actions, and if it is unjust in the eyes of God, His justice will prevail at the right time, just as it happened with His Beloved Son, Jesus. But don’t expect what you want, be open and humble to see what God wants for you.
Christ is calling you to Love as He loves us.
I’m letting the link for the free Bible App, so there is no excuse for you not to have one and study.
Now, I invite you to pray and have an intimate conversation with Jesus Christ, so you can have a life immersed in His Divine Love, just as He commands in His Gospel.
Breathe and center your attention on it, as you feel more tranquil and comfortable wherever you are, repeat these words, thinking on the meaning of each sentence. It is the prayer that the Beloved Friend gave to all of us, and it can be called the Ecumenical Prayer (Matthew 6:9-14):
Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses just as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever.
Amen!
Become the Fifth Gospel
You can continue this path to Christ through the group channel that I’m sharing now. There will be reflective messages, as well as live prayers for you to maintain a life of repentance and redemption in Jesus Christ.
Together, we will spiritually write the testimonies of Jesus' actions in our lives. Just scan the QR code you’re seeing right now or click on the link below and be the Fifth Gospel.
Never forget to reach Christ throughout life through prayer and vigilance. May the Peace of God be upon you, and don’t forget to go to church this weekend.
God Is Present! Jesus Lives in our hearts forever!
