John 13:31-35 Love Others Like Jesus Loves Us

A little boy wanted to meet God. Not knowing where God lived, the boy packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started out on his journey. When he had gone a few blocks, he met an old woman who was sitting in the park staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. Shed accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! Together they sat all afternoon eating and smiling.

As it grew dark, the boy realized it was time to go home, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around and ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!". 

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I had Twinkies and root beer with God, and you know, he's much younger than I expected."  

John 13:31-35 is part of Jesus' farewell speech to his disciples. It takes place on the night before his crucifixion, and he is giving his disciples final instructions for continuing his work, just like many of you might have given final instructions to your families before you moved here to Queens Manor. Many of you have also provided instructions for loved ones at other points in your lives. For example, if you went away on trips you likely gave instructions to other people for picking up your mail, checking on your homes or mowing your lawns. Hopefully most of you have also prepared wills in which you give instructions about how your property is to be dealt with after you die.

In John 13:31-35, Jesus is teaching his disciples about humility, acceptance and love. This particular passage occurs just after Jesus has washed the disciples' feet, and after Judas has left to betray Jesus. Judas' departure began the process by which Jesus was glorified by God. Jesus knew that Judas' actions would result in victory over sin and death, but the disciples didn't realize it even though Jesus told them several times that he would die and rise again. Jesus was their source of comfort and strength, but he knew that they would have to learn to support each other after he returned to heaven. That's one reason why he issued the commandment to love one another. It is also the new commandment that we as his modern disciples are to follow.  

Jesus told the disciples that he will be glorified through his death and resurrection. His death and resurrection opened the door of salvation for us. Before we can walk through that door, we have to obey God's commandments, including the new one Jesus introduces in his farewell speech-love each other just like I have loved you. This commandment is not entirely new. The Israelites were told in Leviticus 19:18 to love their neighbours, and Leviticus 19:34 told the Israelites to love both foreigners and fellow Israelites.

This commandment is new for four reasons. First, Jesus was a clear model of the love he requires, and he proved that by washing the disciples' feet. Second, the commandment focuses on the Christian community. We care called on to love everyone-friends, enemies and total strangers. Third, it creates a new covenant based on love and not obedience to all of the Jewish laws. Fourth, this new commandment is open ended. There is no end to the requirement, so we can never say that we have obeyed it entirely. Even if we can't feel affection for someone, we can still help them, and when we do, we show Christ's love.

In his book "Miracle on the River Kwai", Ernest Gordon described an incident in which British prisoners of war tended the wounds of injured Japanese soldiers and fed them. The Japanese soldiers were covered with mud and blood. Their wounds were infected and they were left uncared for by their own people. The British prisoners saw them, took pity on them, bathed their wounds and gave them a little food to eat. They cared for the enemies who starved and beat them and killed their comrades. God broke down the hatred and conquered it with love.

The life Jesus calls us to live is a life lived as a servant of others. The staff here at Queens Manor is a good example. They serve all of you by looking after your needs. They display a true servant's heart. Those who serve others are true disciples of Christ.  

We love our neighbours when we seek them out. We love our neighbours when we make ourselves available to serve them, just like the staff here at Queens Manor make themselves available to serve you. We love our neighbours when we shepherd them in their walk with the Lord and teach them in God's Word.

Jesus' humility and service to others , especially when he washed the disciples' feet, is a good example for us to follow. Here was the Master serving others, and not the other way around. If Jesus could serve others, so can we. He showed his love for others by serving them. If he can love others by serving them, we can also love others by serving them.

We don't have the option of ignoring this new commandment. Obeying it is a sign of our love for Jesus. It requires us to throw ourselves on God's mercy. It's hard for us to love others as Jesus commanded because it goes against our human nature. It goes against human reasoning and logic. It's not logical for us to love our enemies or those who hate us. It's not logical to love people who are different from us, or at least that's what the Jews thought. They did not want to love the Gentiles. In fact, the Jews often referred to the Gentiles by names that were rather uncomplimentary, such as "dogs". God showed Peter in the reading from Acts 11:18 that he loves the Gentiles as much as he loves the Jews, and to refuse to accept the Gentiles would be hindering God and opposing his will. When we find it hard to love our enemies or those who are different from us, all we have to do is remember what Jesus did for us. All we have to do to respond to what he did for us to is love our neighbours just like Jesus loves us.

Bibliography

1)      Exegesis for John 13:31-35. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

2)      Pastor Vince Gerhardy, "To Love As Jesus Loved Us." Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

3)      Dr. Randy L. Hyde, "Family Tales". Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

4)      Swindoll, Charles R., Swindoll's New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010

5)      Bobby Schuller, "Living a Life of Love". Retrieved from www.hourofpower.org

6)      T.M. Moore, "How to Know When You Love Others". Retrieved from www.colsoncenter.org

7)      Exegesis for Acts 11:1-18. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

 

 

Luke 5:1-11 Follow Me to a Great Catch

The story of Jesus teaching from the boat in Luke 5:1-11 occurs early in his earthly ministry. He preached to the crowd, and then he asked Peter to do something that did not make sense to Peter. He asked Peter to go fishing in the daytime. As someone who had fished in this particular area for most of his life, Peter knew that the best time to catch fish was at night, because during the day the fish went deeper into the water to keep cool and stay out of the light. Peter didn't catch anything the night before. He was hesitant to obey Jesus at first, but eventually he obeyed Jesus' request. The result was a catch so big that he needed help from other fishermen to bring it ashore. 

Obeying orders leads to success. For example, several years ago General Dwight Eisenhower, the man who led the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, told an interviewer how the decision was made to go on June 6, 1944. He wanted to go on June 4th or June  5th, and June 4th, 1944, was a beautiful, starlight night. The commanders of the Allied troops were gathered with General Eisenhower at their command post in England. The chief army weatherman was there also, and he told General Eisenhower that gale-force winds and high tides would be hitting the Normandy beaches by the next morning.

General Eisenhower had a decision to make. Should he believe what he saw-a beautiful, clear starlight night-or should he listen to the man who knew. His answer was "No go", even though it would have cost him his first choice and prolong the wait for the troops who were waiting on the ships. On the next day-June 5th-the weather was stormy, just like the weatherman had predicted. The weatherman came in and said, "We're going to have improved weather tomorrow with moderate winds and tides. It's going to be a good day to go." General Eisenhower had to decide to go by his senses or by the man who had the authority. The general paused for about 30 seconds, and then he said two of history's most famous words-"Let's go". The room was clear in two seconds, and the rest is history.  

Peter also had a decision to make. Would he obey Jesus' request? Workers like Peter usually hate to obey orders unless they recognize the authority of the person who is giving the order. I know how they feel, because when I worked at Harry Freeman's lumber mill in Greenfield, I had many bosses that I hated to take orders from, but I still obeyed their orders because I respected their authority even if I didn’t respect them as people. Peter respected Jesus and therefore he obeyed Jesus' orders. The result was a huge reward. When Peter saw the catch of fish, he saw a miracle. He knew that he was in the presence of a holy person, and he was ashamed because of his sinful nature. If we obey Jesus, he will clean us, make us whole, and give us the tools we need to do his work in our world. 

God often calls us to do things that are often simple for us to do but important to him. The simplest tasks we do for God can result in a revelation, discovery or even greater faith. Obedience to even the simplest of orders results in great rewards from God. All we have to do is look at the staff here at Queens Manor. They are doing God's work by taking care of your needs, and their reward is the satisfaction they get from a job well done.

Peter obeyed Jesus' order to become a fisher of men. After Jesus ascended to heaven, Peter became the leader of the disciples and the early Christian church. In  fact, the Roman Catholic Church traces its origins to Peter. Peter's small step of obedience led to the miracle that changed his life. God prepared Peter for the call just like he prepares us for our call. He allowed Peter to endure failure by not catching any fish. He also allows us to endure personal failures. For example, some of you might have considered yourselves to be personal failures when you had to come here to Queens Manor because of your age and health problems. I can tell you that you are not a failure. You can still contribute to life in many ways. You can still share your memories with many of your friends and family members. Those of you who can also help out other residents. Take one resident here, for example. She is confined to a wheelchair, but she doesn't let that stop her! She helps other residents follow along during your worship services, and as someone who has known her for many years, I am both amazed and extremely grateful! Ruby is a good example of the work God has called us to do in our lives.

Once we realize who Jesus is, we can see ourselves in a new light, just like Peter saw Jesus in a new light when he realized who Jesus was. Sometimes that sight is too much for us to handle, but we need to see ourselves in that light so we can be changed by God and be prepared by God for the work he wants us to do. God shook up Peter because he wanted to shake up the world. He can also shake all of us up so he can shake up the world-and boy does it ever need to be shaken up. When we obey God, we will become fishers of men, and the catch we will get will be even greater than Peter's great catch of fish.

 

Bibliography

1)      Ron Hutchcraft, "Your Hard Times". Retrieved from www.hutchcraft.com

2)      Exegesis for Luke 5:1-11. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

3)      Dr. Ray Pritchard, "How God's Will Can Mess Up Your Life in a Good Way". Retrieved from www.keepbelieving.com

 

 

Acts 9:1-20, John 21:1-19 Redemption

The theme of this Easter season is redemption. Jesus died to save us from our sins and to restore our relationship with God. The readings from Acts 9:1-20 and John 21:1-19  are good examples of Jesus' work of restoration.

Paul's transformation was one of the most famous transformations in Christian history. Here was a man who was a religious zealot. He was so convinced that the way the Pharisees worshipped God was the only way that he actively persecuted the early Christian church. He was present when Stephen became the first Christian martyr. Paul even called himself a strict Pharisee in Philippians 3:5.

Jesus spent most of his time on earth arguing with the Pharisees. He argued that it was not necessary to worship God by obeying the 600 or so rules that the Pharisees had. He tried to make the Pharisees understand that God is for everyone, both Jews and Gentiles. He had little success---until he quite literally made Paul "see the light".  

Why did Jesus choose Paul to lead the church in its expansion to the Gentiles? We don't know for certain. God's ways are not easy for us to understand, even when we ask him "why".  Take Ananias, for example. God used him to go to Paul and lay hands on him. God always uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. God used Ananias to deliver the Holy Spirit to Paul, thereby preparing Paul for his ministry. 

Paul's reputation preceded him, but Ananias did not know that Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. At the same time that God was speaking to Ananias, Paul was waiting in prayer and fasting for a word from Ananias to tell him what to do. Ananias was the one chosen by God to go to Paul and tell him where his future was. Ananias' knowledge of Paul's reputation was a barrier to obeying God's order immediately. 

Like Ananias, we have a word from God. We have an order to bring the Good News to a world that is tumbling toward hell. Our knowledge of people's reputations and opposition to the gospel often hinders our work. We have yet to hear that many people have reached the end of their hopes. We have yet to hear that people are in the depths of despair. We have yet to hear that people are frustrated by pleasure-seeking. We have yet to hear that people are frustrated by a daily routine without meaning.

Ananias also had his doubts. He told God about how Paul persecuted Christians, but God mentioned that he chose Paul to do his work. Ananias saw Paul as an enemy, but God saw Paul as an ally. God transformed Ananias from a doubter to a faithful servant. Ananias answered God's call so that Paul could answer God's call. No one is beyond salvation No one is beyond hope. Even if our past is dirty, God can clean us and make us whole. 

Paul saw the light of Christ even before he lost his physical sight. Paul had to lose his physical sight and be humbled by God so that he could gain spiritual sight. During his period of blindness, he ate and drank nothing, Was it because he was ashamed of his previous life? Maybe, but some scholars believe that he was preparing himself for the work God called him to do. Each of us has a place of obedience. Some of us only need a gentle nudge to lead us to God, while others need a lightning bolt. Paul realized that he was lost. He realized that by persecuting Christians, he was actually persecuting Jesus, the Messiah who had already come. Paul's conversion gave him a vibrant faith and a strong commitment to his calling.

Paul still had a will of his own, but he needed his own will and determination to do God's work. Paul is a good example for us to follow. When our will is merged with God's will, we can do great things for God's kingdom. We all want to control our own lives. Paul controlled his own life for more than 30 years, but when he "saw the light", he became dependent on others, including God. When he was redeemed by God, Paul surrendered control of his life to God. In return, God led Ananias to Paul, and God led Barnabas to introduce Paul to other believers and to help start Paul's ministry.

New believers need fellowship. Pastors can only do so much from the pulpit. New believers need living examples of what a Christian is. What do Christians do with their free time? How do Christians treat each other? New believers need to be out there in the real world with fellow believers, seeing how their new life will play out.  

Now, we turn to Peter, a man who often suffered from "foot in mouth disease". Almost every time he opened his mouth, he put his foot in it. He had a bad habit of acting first and thinking later. For example, Jesus said that Peter would deny him three times on the night before his crucifixion. Peter said he would be loyal to the end, but when the pressure was on him, he did deny Jesus three times. Not only that, but Peter and the disciples denied both the Christian way of life and their calling from God when they returned to fishing.

There are times when we want to throw in the towel and give up. There have been lots of others who have been down that same road. The good news is that God is faithful and abounding in steadfast love, and even when we feel discouraged and impatient and when we have lost all hope, God comes to us and calls us back into fellowship with him.

The disciples were discouraged when they thought that their walk with Jesus was over. It was at that point when Jesus showed up on the shore to extend forgiveness and draw the disciples back to him. Jesus often comes to us when we are at a low point in our lives. He often comes to us when we are discouraged, because it is precisely when we are discouraged and doubtful or uncertain in our faith that Jesus comes to us and gives us the strength we need.

God came to Paul, Ananias and Peter when and where they needed him. In return, they learned four hard lessons:

1. Seek God's will for your life. Otherwise, you will come up empty-handed.

2. When God calls you to do something, do it!.

3. Watch what you eat for spiritual food.

4. Live out your faith. Don't just show it.

When Peter was asked three times if he loved Jesus, Jesus was really asking him "Where am I on the scale of your affections?" Jesus knew the answer, but Peter needed to evaluate where Jesus was on his love scale. Jesus knew whether Peter's act of repentance truly brought him back  in undying love. Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so deeply and personally that he would faithfully obey Jesus in the mission he was given. It was not a question of how many green leaves came forth in Peter's life, but how much fruit he would bear because he abided in Jesus' love. Peter cared for all the sheep. He fed the young ones, disciplined the stubborn ones and tenderly watched over the old ones.

For every public denial Peter made on the night before Jesus' crucifixion, Jesus gave him a public opportunity to state his faith. It was Jesus' way of hearing Peter's confession and pronouncing forgiveness for past sins. It was Jesus' way of saying, "Peter, since you love me, I need you to work for me". Jesus says the same thing to each and every one of us. Jesus died to take away every one of our sins. He assures us that our sins have been taken away. With the faith in Jesus that the Holy Spirit gives us, we are forgiven of the past and empowered for the future.  

Jesus redeemed Peter and the rest of the disciples, and they carried on his work in spite of persecution and opposition. Like them, we are redeemed by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We are restored in faith to God, and then we can go and do his work in our world. Jesus loves us even when we turn away from him like Peter and the disciples did.

When we obey God, we will be rewarded. When the disciples cast their nets on the right side of the boat after Jesus told them to, they were rewarded with a huge catch. When we obey God by casting the net called the Good News when and where he tells us to, we will also be rewarded with a great catch-a great catch of souls.

The reading from John's Gospel concludes with an invitation to Peter and all of us to follow Jesus in the manner of both his death and his service to others. We are challenged to obey Christ even in the face of persecution. We would be wise to remember that many of our Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world are persecuted-even killed-because of their faith, but they still persevere in their faith because that is what Jesus has told them to do. If they can persevere, so can we.

We might think to ourselves, "I do love Christ, so why am I not doing what he has called me to do? Am I afraid of actually doing what he is calling me to do?" We can do everything Jesus is calling us to do. All we have to do is rely on him like Paul, Ananias and Peter did. We do not have to rely on our own strengths. Jesus is asking us today, "Do you love me?" Thanks to the redeeming power and grace of his love, we, like Peter, Paul and Ananias, can say "Yes".

 

Bibliography

 

1)      Rev. Dale Vander Veen, "Converting Grace". Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net

2)      John Shearman's Lectionary Resource, Easter 3. Retrieved from www.lectionary.seemslikegod.org.

3)      Exegesis for Acts 9:1-20. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

4)      Os Hillman, "Called to Someone Versus Something". Retrieved from Today_God_Is_First@crosswalkmail.com

5)      James MacDonald, "When God Finds Someone". Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

6)      Charles R. Swindoll, "A New Beginning". Retrieved from Insight.for.Living@insight.org

7)      Charles R. Swindoll, "No Surprises". Retrieved from Insight.for.Living@insight.org

8)      Greg Laurie, "What New Believers Need". Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

9)      J. Randal Matheney, "Don't Believe Everything You Hear". Retrieved from forthright@fastmail.fm

10)  Os Hillman, "The Place of Obedience". Retrieved from Today_God_Is_First@crosswalkmail.com

11)  Pastor Jack Hibbs, "Do You Love Me?" Retrieved from wttw@calvarycch.org

12)  Exegesis for John 21:1-19. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

13)  Frederickson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J., The Preacher's Commentary Series: Vol. 27, John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.; 1985)

14)  Dr. Philip W. McLarty, "Living the Promise". Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

15)  Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, "Do You Love Me?" Retrieved from www.lhm.org

16)  Jim Penner, "Do You Love Me?" Retrieved from www.hourofpower.org

17)  John Van Schepen, "Revisiting Old Hurts". Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net

Dr. Philip W. McLarty, "Come, Break the Fast". Retrieved from www.lectionar