OUR DAILY BREAD SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2025 ODB MESSAGE
Our Daily Bread 22 February 2025 (Saturday ODB) TOPIC: Legacy of Love in Jesus
BIBLE IN YEAR: Numbers 4-6; Mark 4:1-20
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KEY VERSE: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
John 13:31-36
INSIGHT FOR TODAY
John’s words which close the section preceding John 13:31-36 are elegant and laden with meaning: “And it was night” (v. 30). Here John implies much more than the mere passage of daylight. Judas has been possessed by Satan himself (v. 27) and has left the company of the disciples (v. 30). At this pivotal point, Jesus says, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him” (v. 31).
It may seem odd that Christ speaks triumphant words at such a dark time. Judas has left to betray Him, Peter will deny Him (v. 38), and the disciples (except John) will abandon Him (Matthew 26:56). Yet Jesus prayed, “I have brought you [His Father] glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). In Christ’s death and resurrection, the Father revealed the full scope of His love for us.
Our Daily Bread 22 February 2025 (Saturday ODB) MESSAGE
In Sweden, there’s a concept known as döstädning. It literally means “death cleaning.” The idea is that as we grow older, we should stop accumulating “stuff” and begin to cut out the clutter we have amassed throughout our lives. “Swedish death cleaning” is actually a gift of love to children and friends, for it simplifies for them the task of wading through what we leave behind.
As believers in Jesus, at a certain age we think about our legacy—what survives us. This is often framed in terms of money, inheritance, or charitable giving—and there’s much to be said for that. But it might be helpful to look at Jesus in His final hours with His disciples: “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” (John 13:36). In two verses (vv. 34-35), He uses the word love or loved four times—His legacy was love. He told them: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (v. 34).
It may be good to do some “Swedish death cleaning” in our lives, removing clutter to leave behind only the most important things. But it really isn’t about things or money. The most important legacy you can leave behind is your love for Jesus. When children and friends remember you as one who loved Jesus, that’s the best gift of all. It gives new meaning to the phrase “left behind.”
REFLECT: How do your family and friends see your love for Jesus demonstrated? How might you share that love more openly?
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your love and for the gift of Jesus in my life. Please help me to show Your love to those around me.
Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet
