This is “an amazing text.” It comes to us during the season of Easter with “good reason”…and with “good cause.”
It is here – present, to remind us – that we all have a long way to go. None of us – are there yet! We still have some work to do…ahead of us…none of us, will ever love perfectly!
Sometimes, things get pushed to the “back burner.” Sometimes, we “shelve” things for a later date and a later time. Sometimes, we just “grow weary and get tired.” Sometimes, we “forget.” Some days, compassion is in short supply! Some days, loving is the last thing on our mind. Sometimes, it is helpful if we receive a little “gentle nudge” or a “holy” reminder.
Well, Jesus dropped this one like a bomb shell! KA-BOOM!
Jesus abruptly …begins…he’s only going to be around a little bit longer…
He’s going to a place that the disciples cannot visit. Maybe he’s going to a nice “time share” or something? Punta Cana? Isn’t Disney supposed to be the “happiest place on earth?” Or, is that the Wisconsin Dells?
Wherever he is going, “his words” seem strange…and almost mysteriously distant…
The disciples of course, fail to understand WHAT exactly he is saying.
Jesus was being “bold and clear”…as concise as could be. He wasn’t “hesitant,” he didn’t “stutter” and there were to be “NO LOOPHOLES”…this is not like filling out your 1040!
Jesus was being “crystal clear.” And still, there was confusion.
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER,” he said. And he added, “AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!”
“If you love me you will keep my commandments.” “Those who love me will keep my word.” “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”
Do you realize he said this three times? Three times for emphasis sake, three times so we do not forget, three times so that we will ultimately remember…
And still, we are challenged by it…
Jesus has this “new commandment” for his followers, his disciples, for all believer’s, for all Christians (then and now)- and apparently for all time – going forward.
“Love one another,” he says, and he just throws it out there…
It is a “commandment.” It is NOT A SUGGESTION. He boldly declares this commandment like the “greatest prophet of old” – Moshe, before him…
This is not just a “warm fuzzy.” This is “serious business.” This is not just about “warm feelings”…or “tolerance”…or “just having compassion.” And it is definitely not about just having a “high regard for one another.”
And yet, he knew we would be challenged by this. Which is why we have to keep it constantly before us… It is not about being “partial to” or about “agreeing with one another.”
It is precisely about “LOVING OTHERS” as Jesus loves US.
So, I am aware that some of our young people were just out in Washington, DC.
Washington DC houses the Holocaust Museum. Very oddly – an Orthodox priest is memorialized there. His name was the Reverend Joa-chim Alexandro-poulos. Joa-chim served on a small Greek Isle during World War II. The story goes, that the Nazi’s came one day, and demanded that he supply them with a list naming every Jew on the Island. The very next day, at the appointed time he handed them a list containing only one name. His own.
That’s what Jesus was talking about. Loving to the end… A life of not just living for our self but a life of “loving…” all others, even as Jesus loves US.
An unconditional kind of love…
And of course, one of the most “stunning parts” of this entire text is “the location” of it. This passage comes on the heels of Judas leaving the other disciples at the Last Supper in order to go out – and betray Jesus.
Jesus’ response is “to love.” Nothing more. Nothing less. “Just love.”
The Ninth Graders have been studying the Johannine Epistles…it is said that in his old age, would constantly remind those around him “to love one another.”
When questioned WHY he told them this so very often, his reply was, “Because it is what our Lord commanded.” If it is all you do, then it is enough.
The world is not always a pretty place. But you can make a difference in it today, tomorrow and every day ahead.
You go out there and you love one another…and when you get weary, or tired, or forget, or run out of steam. I will be here to remind you of Jesus’ words…
If it is all you do, then it is enough.
Love one another, as Jesus has loved you.
Amen.