05082021 – John 15. 9-17 Easter6B
(Mother’s Day Weekend)
There’s SOMETHING about mothers…They have this “amazing ability” to hear A SNEEZE or a MUFFLED COUGH, through three closed doors in the middle of the night, upstairs or downstairs, at least three rooms away…all the while dad is snoring up a storm – next to her.
There’s something about mothers…Jeff Foxworthy once said, “they clean up everything and anything.” He went on to say, that the CDC has determined that a mothers spittle is the SAME EXACT CHEMICAL COMPOSITION as FORMULA 409. Did you know that mom’s spit and a Kleenex, will clean THE RUST right off of your BUMPER?
Finally, WHY did the mother cross the road? To get some PEACE and QUIET!
So here, in the gospel oj John, Jesus is found teaching his disciples. The context is this: it is Maundy Thursday, (Holy Thursday) the night of his arrest and trial. We know what the next day will hold in store for him…as does JESUS.
These are some of his last words. Last words are holy. Last words are compelling. Last words are precious and meaningful, and they DO MATTER.
Of all that Jesus might have said, he chooses to speak to them about love and relationship.
He tells them, the greatest love in the whole world is “SELF-SACRIFICIAL LOVE.” Love for the “OTHERS.”
Love GIVEN to others. Love LIVED for others.
Laying down your life, for your friends is like “the highest good.”
To CLAIM love is EASY.
To LIVE LOVE is far more difficult.
Jesus was saying that he CHOSE his disciples IN LOVE…and that he would send them out into the world TO BE LOVE.
You get it, I know you do, you too! are sent out from this place to BE the LOVE in this Crazy world of ours…
You do understand that? Do you get it? You are included.
That means US, (all of us-without exception) as well.
He asks that we BE THE LOVE IN OUR WORLD.
Where love DOES NOT EXIST – you – be the love.
To live out “GOD’S LOVE” means to CARE for “one another.” And dare, I say, ALL OTHERS.
AGAIN, NO exceptions…
In the culture of Jesus.
During his lifetime…and EVEN BEFORE.
In an HONOR and SHAME society…STATUS and REPUTATION…stood well above, far beyond any and all accomplishments.
It DID NOT matter WHAT someone DID.
What others SAID about him DID MATTER.
What “others said” spoke volumes…
It was all about your reputation.
It was all about the word on the streets.
All about your “street rep.”
It was THE BELIEF in the first century (and even prior to this time) – that if, someone engaged in some activity, his efforts were only meant for self glorification.
“Look at me.
Look at what I can do.
Look at what I can accomplish.”
“Quick look over here.” SEE ME, aint I great?
Through the eyes of many Jews, GOD BLESSED his faithful with ECONOMIC ABUNDANCE, certain abilities, and an impeccable reputation.
That’s why the poor, the lame, and the sinner were to be AVOIDED and SHAMED at all costs. They WERENOT blessed by God.
They were among the despised in this world.
The rich and the wealthy were to be honored and held in high esteem.
NOW THEY…THEY WERE TRULY BLESSED.
Jesus was so COUNTER-CULTURAL.
He OPPOSED this mindset at every turn.
His response was love them ALL.
Love them ANYWAY.
Love was THE way.
Love was THE answer.
Love was THE ONLY ANSWER.
SELF-GIVING-LOVE.
THEN, again, in yet,ANOTHER unprecedented manner, Jesus (the Teacher), Jesus the Rabbi, Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, calls his disciples, “FRIENDS.”
It was mind-blowing.
Show stopping.
RIVETING.
Unbelievable. WHAT DID HE JUST CALL US?
JESUS-FRIENDED-US. And we, clicked :LIKE.”
(But then,) things GOT REAL.
And, he told us WHAT he EXPECTS OF US…you could have heard a pin drop.
The “REAL FRIEND” holds nothing back. You give it all. You give everything you have.
You are willing to lay down “your life” like combat buddies on the front line.
You have to be selfless.
You have to be THE ONE who hurdles to take the bullet.
The one who RUNS into the mine-field first.
The one who sits up and listens all night long WITHOUT judging or flinching.
The real friend lays aside their smartphone and only concentrates on the “OTHER.”
YOU ARE TO BE “THAT FRIEND.”
Love is the only way…
There is NO BETTER WAY.
SO, Why is a computer so smart?
Because it listens to its MOTHERBOARD.
Hint, hint, hint…
What did the mommy spider say to the baby spider? You spend WAY too much time on the WEB!
Happy Mother’s day, ladies!
Amen.