This Sunday's Gospel reading takes us back before the resurrection. Jesus is giving his departing words to his disciples. Here is part of that conversation:
"When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him... I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. 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." John 13: 31, :34-35
We note how Jesus talks about glorification almost in a surreal way as he knows it will come through his death and resurrection. Also, in the same breath he gives them a new commandment. Certainly loving others had been commanded in Scripture before Jesus' coming; yet, here he issues a new commandment. What is new is that it is linked directly to him. This love is to exemplify his love for us. It would be a sacrificial love - a love that is willing to go the extra mile.
The purpose of our living out this love is so that the world would recognize that we are followers of Jesus. Yes, we have to be on our guard, but as we do exhibit this kind of sacrificial love we will be known by the world. Consider what the world means by love - a sentimental or romantic feeling. Jesus here gives us a new meaning to the word. As we live this out we live in fellowship with our Lord.
I would invite you to reflect on this passage in John's Gospel and how much you exhibit this love in your own life in preparation for Sunday worship.
Pastor Marty
"When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him... I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. 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." John 13: 31, :34-35
We note how Jesus talks about glorification almost in a surreal way as he knows it will come through his death and resurrection. Also, in the same breath he gives them a new commandment. Certainly loving others had been commanded in Scripture before Jesus' coming; yet, here he issues a new commandment. What is new is that it is linked directly to him. This love is to exemplify his love for us. It would be a sacrificial love - a love that is willing to go the extra mile.
The purpose of our living out this love is so that the world would recognize that we are followers of Jesus. Yes, we have to be on our guard, but as we do exhibit this kind of sacrificial love we will be known by the world. Consider what the world means by love - a sentimental or romantic feeling. Jesus here gives us a new meaning to the word. As we live this out we live in fellowship with our Lord.
I would invite you to reflect on this passage in John's Gospel and how much you exhibit this love in your own life in preparation for Sunday worship.
Pastor Marty
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