“Jesus does not merely talk the language of friendship, he lives out his
life and death as a friend and he commands that his followers do the
same. The commandment to love as Jesus has loved may be the most
radical words of the Gospel because it claims that the love that enabled
Jesus to lay down his life for his friends is not unique to him. This
love can be replicated and embodied over and over again by his
followers. To keep Jesus’ commandment is to enact his love in our own
lives…if we take Jesus’ commandment to love seriously, and if we long to
give love freely and generously without counting the cost and without
wondering and worrying about who is on the receiving end of our
limitless love…. What counts most is the embodiment of God’s love in
the world, not the character of those who receive this love.”
Cited from New Testament scholar Gail O’Day, in a sermon given by Rev. Beth Neel on the "Theology of Friendship", Sunday May 13th.
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