May 9, 2021 – John
JOHN 15:9-17
Today’s Gospel lesson is part of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, and a continuation of the abiding relationship of the vine and branches from last Sunday’s lesson. The bearing of much fruit is now put forth in terms of love. Our lesson today is a clear reminder of the importance of love, for love is the fruit of the abiding relationship of Father and Son, just as it is of the Son and those who follow Him. Love is that which can also bring us joy!
For most of this, the concept of love has many different connotations. There is the type of love we have for family and friends, and yes, then there is romantic
L O V E! Even romantic love is seen in many ways! Just listen to a few of the answers that children gave when asked about love! Johnny, age 9, said that “love is like an avalanche where you have to run for your life” Then there was Jill, age 8, whose concept of love when like this, “I think you’re supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn’t supposed to hurt as much.”
And this teeny-bopper wrote this love poem for the love of his life.
Love is like my asthma – it takes my breath away.
Love is like dandruff – I can’t get it off my head.
Love is like my car – it drives me crazy.
Love is like dentures – I can’t smile without it.
Jesus’ love, however, far surpasses any of the romantic love we may feel for someone, as well as other types of love. Love is, in fact, a precious gift from God. John 3:16 expresses that love well. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus also said, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.” To abide in Jesus’ love, however, Jesus commands us to “love one another, as I have loved you.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t give us an option. He does not recommend or suggest that we keep His commandment, but commands us to do so.
At first it may seem easy, we say to ourselves, “we’re good people, of course we love others. Yet, even though we are good people, if we look deep down, we discover that we have drawn a line in the sand when it comes to loving certain people. We’ll love others up to this point, but not beyond. It is human to put up barriers, for it is frightening at times to even think about loving those who are very different from us; those, for example, who have committed crimes, are drug-users, drug-dealers, gang members and on and on. Yet, Jesus command us as followers who dwell in Him, is to step over the line and to love everyone as He loves us. For this is how we bear the fruit of the vine!
The big question is, how do we love others as Jesus has loved us. Perhaps the path is like the story my Grandfather Deiter used to talk about the man who had carved a bear out of a piece of log. Someone asked him how he had carved it, and he replied, “I just chipped away anything that did not look like a bear.” There are many stories in the Bible that illustrates Jesus’ great love for others and we can use them as models for our own behavior as we chip away at our thoughts and behaviors that don’t much look like Jesus’ love.
Let’s start with an easy one, that of the Good Samaritan. Who can tell me the story? My guess is that there isn’t anyone here this morning who would not help someone in need if the opportunity presented itself. Yet, it is a lesson to all of us, for not only should we be willing to help, but we need to be willing to help without passing judgement on the person, their background, or the situation itself.
Who remembers the story of Jesus walking on the water and calling Peter to come to him? Jesus love for Peter never wavered even though He knew Peter’s faith was wavering at bit at that moment. Thus, we are called to support one another in love, even when they are question their faith, and to plant the seed of faith in those. Even those who may be the most unlikely recipients of Jesus’ message of love.
Then there is the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. Who can tell us the story? It is a story of Jesus feeding the hungry in love. Matthew tells us that the people had been without food for three days. Jesus knew this and had great compassion for them. Through us, Jesus is still feeding the hungry, and we are called to feed those who say they are hungry and in need, without questioning whether they are really in need and just using the system so they can spend their money on other things.
And who can forget the Woman at the Well who was living with a man who was not her husband, and the woman brought to Jesus because she had committed adultery. Jesus treated them with love while teaching them how they should continue on in their life. He loved them regardless of what they had done in the past.
Jesus preached the kingdom of God in love throughout His ministry here on earth. Mark 6 tells us the story of Jesus landing where a great crowd had gathered. We are told Jesus had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and He began to teach them. Jesus continues to teach all of us through the Word, and through us.
Jesus set the example for us, and love is an action. An action that Jesus commands us each to do. Yet, we need not be afraid because Jesus is always here with each one of us as we good forth to do His command.
As we leave here today, my hope for you, for me, and for this congregation is that today we can love each other and those around us as God has loved us. Let us all let others see the love of Jesus shining through each of us!
Amen