Love is freed from fickle ties to affection only. Now it is living out the ongoing presence of Jesus in the world through the way that he loved—unto death. The new commandment is not a stern, military-type order, but rather a charge, a mission, a commitment.

The setting for the reading is the Last Supper before Jesus’death. It is also appropriate on this Sunday as we enter into the final three of the seven weeks in the Easter season. Jesus approaches his last suppers during the time of glory when he was with the disciples after the resurrection until Ascension Thursday, forty days after Easter.

Let there arise in the depths of your soul that sense of AS Jesus has loved you—to the death … the death of self. Let the Spirit give you the gift of giving your life for others.

John 13:31–35

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Loving as Jesus has loved v. 34

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, during the Easter Season, we read from John’s Gospel, with Luke on the Seventh Week.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Thomas’absence at the first appearance of Jesus becomes a handicap to knowing the presence of Jesus risen in the new community. For Thomas, an alive Jesus would be a revivified corpse. He had no idea that Jesus would live in him, rather than he in Jesus with his fingers in the open wounds.

The second encounter with Jesus eight days later begins as the first one in 20:19. There is, however, a small but very significant difference. In verse 19, the past tense is used: “Jesus came.” In verse 26, it is the present tense: “Jesus comes.” Even before the manifestation to Thomas, Jesus is already present in the community that loves in such a way, that his presence is manifest in them.

Are you part of a community that lives and loves in the Spirit? No personal preferences to see Jesus in any particular manner will substitute for this.

John 20:24–31

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Safe in the side of Jesus v. 27

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the Easter Season this year we read the final third of John’s Gospel.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

We read the second of three accounts of the story of Paul’s conversion. Each telling is fresh, for there are a new opportunities for Paul to give praise to his Lord. Catch the joy in his spirit as Paul shares his deep conviction that no evil can ever come against him that will be able to withstand the power of his Jesus.

Cast your memory over your past life. Recall those times when God intervened in your life in clear and manifest ways. How did you respond? Spend time with the story of God’s shaping of your life to be in conformity with Jesus. There is energy in the retelling of the story as you move further into your life as it continues. Writing the story as Luke does, will deepen its impact upon you and upon others when you share it.

Acts 22

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Being sent out far and wide v. 21

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the Easter Season this year we read Acts 18:23—28:31.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.