LOVE at The Benton Church

The night that Jesus was arrested, he issued this unexpected message to those crusty fishermen and tax collectors and common laborers who were his closest friends:  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:34-35, ESV)

This was perhaps disorienting to those guys who planned to use a couple of short swords to hold off the Roman army and usher in a bloody revolution, putting Jesus on a king’s throne.

But this was no syrupy, wimpy plea to be nice to each other; this was an imperative command issued to men whose only chance to survive and thrive in this new thing that would be called “church” would be  by acknowledging and living out their mutual support for one another. They were soon to be tried by fire (some quite literally) among a hostile culture bent on their eradication, and backed by the strongest military force the world had ever seen.

A band of brothers, indeed.

Jesus’ entire adult ministry had focused on these men – his disciples – and they were his plan for bringing redemption, forgiveness and new life to a lost world.

The story is told of the perplexed angel that spoke with the risen Christ after the resurrection.  Observing the 11 remaining disciples huddled in fear, hiding from the Romans, the angel asked, “Lord, if you’re planning to change the world, what is your Plan B?”

Jesus replied, “I have no Plan B.  Those guys are it.”

At TBC, we offer a robust environment where love – a strong, affirming, supporting and intentional commitment to one another – is much in evidence.  Come join us.