John 13:31-35
The Rev. Denise Vaughn
The Love Command
It may seem a bit strange that during the Easter season the gospel text is set in the last few days of Jesus’ life. We might think it more appropriate for Lent than for Easter. However, in John’s gospel this farewell conversation that Jesus has with the disciples actually speaks to Easter because it not only speaks to Jesus’ death, resurrection and return to the Father, but also it would be difficult to overestimate the importance of this gospel passage for the love command that Jesus gives to his disciples. This command is understood as both the center of Jesus’ teaching and the center of Christian life. Much of Christian ethics is described as a love ethic because of this passage. After the resurrection of Christ, this is the command that drives the church in its identity and mission. When John was an older man, everywhere he preached his message was simply this: “My little children love one another.”
Love becomes the mark to the world that we are God’s people that we do believe and do what we say we believe. Therefore, these last words of Jesus before he died take on a special significance. As the impending crises loomed ahead of them, we read of perplexed disciples being given them their game plan for the time after he has gone. He tells them; I am getting ready to go to a place where you cannot come, so this is important. Then comes those final, poignant words, “A new commandment I give you; love one another. As I have loved you, you are to love one another.” This will be your ultimate reason for being.
His words are familiar to the disciples but the intensity and sharpness of the conversation lead the disciples to know that this is a time that they are meant to remember. We are meant to remember these words of Jesus but how difficult to follow. As one modern New Testament scholar observed: This new command is simple enough for a toddler to memorize and appreciate, and it is profound enough that the most mature believers are repeatedly embarrassed at how poorly they comprehend it and put it into practice. I truly believe that Jesus wanted to make it easy for us but we find it hard to put this commandment into practice. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
These words of Jesus to the disciples are not about the importance of the scriptures or a carefully constructed creed. The New Testament would not be written until a least two generations after Jesus’ death and the Nicene Creed would be constructed by bishops and theologians over the next 350 years. Scholars have dated Paul’s letters, as all written in the 50’s and manuscripts of the gospel of Mark have been found to date back to the 40’s. The bible and the creed would become very important to humanity over the years but it does seem that the one most important thing to Jesus would get lost as Christians wrestled with power and orthodoxy. What Jesus apparently wanted us to know by stressing this commandment is, it’s not just about what you believe, it is about how you live.
It is the doing of our faith. By practicing Jesus’ teachings, the early church discovered that their life was made better on so many levels. Members of the community were not held accountable for their opinions about God or Jesus; rather, the community measured faithfulness by how well its members practiced loving God and neighbor. The question that should always be before us is what practice embodies the teaching and compassion of Jesus? Karen Armstrong in her autobiographical work, The Spiral Starcase, writes, “Religion” is not about having to believe or accept certain difficult propositions: instead, religion is “about doing things that change you.” Yes, we have certain practices and rituals that shape our lives as Christians but it seems that showing the love of Christ in our lives is life changing for us and for others.
Another well know writer, speaker, commentator on religion, politics, and culture for USA Today, Time, Newsweek, PBS to name just a few and also a fellow Episcopalian, Diana Butler Bass. In her latest book titled: ‘Christianity After Religion’ she speaks to this new but old approach to faith that is both life-giving and service driven. She says; did you know that in the United States somewhere in the range of 25 to 30 percent of the population under thirty neither attends religious services nor have any religious preference, although about half of this unaffiliated group says they believe in God or understand themselves to be spiritual. When asked they say they are profoundly disappointed in religion, religious ideologies, and organizations as they currently exist. These numbers are sobering, especially to us that find meaning in our faith.
In a roundabout way, their criticism actually demonstrates authentic spiritual longing. Somewhere these young adults have heard that Christianity is supposed to be a religion about love, forgiveness and practicing what Jesus preached and that faith should give meaning to real life. They are judging Christianity on its own teachings and believe that we are coming up short. Their discontent may reflect a deeper longing for a better sort of Christianity, one that embodies Jesus’ teachings and life in a way that makes a real difference in the world and displays the kingdom in all that we do. She says we are to act up and act out for God’s love.
God empowered Peter, Paul and those early Christians to play a significant role in the mission of the church. Thank God they took on that mission in their day. God still empowers and gifts each one of us to help display the kingdom in all that we do. Our world is hungry for authenticity of faith. Our world is hungry to see love. It seems to elude us but it is there as long as God’s Spirit hovers over the earth and in our hearts. As long as we are open to the work of God’s healing and reconciling Spirit. Will we allow the love of God to take deep root in us so that it flourishes in all that we do and say to one another?
This is the first step in helping the world to see authentic disciple’s of Christ. Certainly because of Easter, there is the power of the risen Christ to help us act up and act out with God’s love. Jesus makes love the distinguishing mark of the church that characterizes our life by which even outsiders can discern its authenticity. It’s a challenge, always has been for the church but God is faithful and the rest of the story is up to us.