By
this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love
for one another.
- I have to tell you that I am torn today, in more ways than one. Our small numbers make me want to sit in the pew and have a Bible study/discussion, very informally, The Gospel reading tells us of our present and what will set Christians apart from others in the world. The reading from Revelation tells us of our future, whether near or far... and is one of my all-time favourite readings from the Christian Scripture. I'd like to preach on both of them, but there isn't all the time in the world right now and the two readings might be hard to tie together. At least, such a tie will not be obvious at first glance.
- The reading from Revelation speaks of a new heaven and a new earth, in other words, a new creation. There will be no sea, because to the Jewish mind of the times, the sea represented chaos, an anarchic lack of order that preceded the creation of the world by nothing less than the Word of God. In this new creation, nothing will be beyond the reach of God.
- More importantly for the intended readers, there would be no more death or tears. “Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."
- Our other reading comes from John's Gospel and is found in what is called Jesus' Last Supper discourse. Judas has just left the table to carry out his betrayal of Jesus and Jesus comments that “Now the Son of Man has been glorified...”, a constant theme in John where Jesus is fully glorified on the cross. Then Jesus gives his new Commandment: “love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” This is possibly the simplest commandment anyone could receive, yet it may be the hardest to live out. In the youth bulletin today, the cartoon strip “Agnus Dei” makes the statement we all may have said at one time or other about this Gospel verse: “There's gotta be a loophole for dealing with jerks!' This verse speaks to us every day, in every situation, even in this time of uncertainty and concern over attacks by terrorist groups or individuals.
- Despite our safety concerns and maybe our ability to suffers fools gladly, the passage from John also makes this assertion: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” It appears that this will be the sign for the world to see, the identifying evidence of discipleship.
- Christians are to be know for their love for one another. This does not rule out loving people who are outside of the community of faith nor does it rule out those who are a part of a different faith community. Maybe part of it is to be so busy loving that we will be too busy to tell the difference between who is “in” and who is “out”... if there even is a difference. We are to be know to the world by our mutual love, not necessarily by our way of speaking, our way of dressing, our way of worshipping, or even our way of believing or doing theology. What will draw people to Jesus Christ has been and probably will always be how Christians love one another.
- Saying this does not make light of the very real differences that exist within the world's faith communities or even among Christians. It may be saying simply that there is more binding us together than separating us.
- What does this mutual love show the world? That God is present in our lives, both individually and communally. Here then is the link between the Gospel of John and the Revelation of John.
- Revelation speaks of the mingling of Heaven and earth and God finding a home within his creation: "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them...” Of all the promises found in the Book of Revelation, this one may be the most amazing and the most hopeful. Not only will people live in peace and community, but God will live with them!
- Further, the Gospel of John tells us that the true sign of Christian discipleship will be love: Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. This is the new commandment given to all of Jesus' disciples and as was said before, it may be the hardest to fulfil. Still, it will be the sign for all the world that there is something different about Christians. The community of Christians will be based not on economics, nationality, politics or even mutual interest, but on love for one another in the power of the Spirit and in God's grace.
- To tie these passages even tighter, we might add the will-known verse from the first letter of John, where the writer speaks of the the nature of both God and love: God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. (1 John 4:16) Where love is found, there God will be found – a simple and tremendously profound message.
- Revelation, John's Gospel, and John's letters all come from the same strain of theology and here they all tell us of the nature of discipleship and the nature of God's presence. As a hymn of a few years ago said “They'll know we are Christians by our love.” Further where love is, God is present. And the presence of God among his people is found and best seen when we love one another. A simple truth and a simple command – one the can only be carried out in grace.
By
this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love
for one another.
No comments:
Post a Comment