To Love One Another

Sometimes context is everything. Have you ever walked in on a conversation and realized that you didn’t have all the information? Or what people were actually talking about was completely different from what you thought was going on?

These five short verses that were read from John 13 are pretty much taken out of context. When we read or hear it, we think, “Oh that’s nice, of course Jesus wants us to love others.” Many of us have been singing “Jesus love me, this I know” since we were little children. It may have been the first hymn you ever learned by heart. So, to hear Jesus say, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love on another” well it just sounds and feels right. Jesus goes on to say “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

So, we know that Jesus loves us and we know we are to love each other. That feels right. It sounds doable. That is until you realize the context into which Jesus spoke these words. In the church we are in the time after Easter, but this scripture reading has taken us back to the night of the last supper Jesus is having with his disciples before the arrest, trial, and ultimately his death. It is the last night that Jesus will be with them as he has been with them for these last three years. They have trusted him, watched him, followed him. Jesus is their teacher and leader. They fully expect that he is going to lead them to a great victory. And he does, just not the way anyone would expect or even be able to comprehend until the days, months, and years, after Jesus’ resurrection.

For now, they are gathered together in a room, dining with one another. They feel safe. They are at ease. The are listening to Jesus, yet there are moments that are difficult to grasp.

It is important to remember, the scriptures and stories that we read come from a time after Jesus’ death. This is not like a news reporter on the scene of an unfolding story, nor is it the play-by-play action of a sports announcer. The stories that are shared by writers of the New Testament, reflect on the experiences of the disciples as they spent time with Jesus. We are getting what the writers felt was most important to the narrative, to their purpose for writing. It is different from a historical account as well in that the purpose of the writing was to share with others what seemed most important to revealing the character and life of Jesus and how that then changed the world of those whose lives Jesus touched directly, and give instruction and wisdom to those who would follow, even now for us as we hear and read these words.

As the friends and companions linger over the meal, Jesus summarizes his teaching. He speaks to his relationship with God, referring again to himself as light into the world, so that everyone who believe in him should not remain in the darkness. (12:46). He continues to say that he does not judge anyone who hears his words and does not keep them, for he came not to judge the world, but to save the world. (12:47).

Then Jesus did something that seemed unthinkable… “Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.” (13:4-5) The master was washing the feet of the followers, the students. This is important. In the story, Peter, one of the disciples, rebukes Jesus and says, “You will never wash my feet” Yet, when it comes to the command to love one another just as I have love you, you also should love one another” everything that Jesus does shows us something of that love. Jesus was willing to take the place of a servant even though he was revered by those closest to them, and he washed their feet.

After this scene comes another significant example of how to love. Jesus says that “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me…After saying this Jesus was trouble in sprit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’” Of course, those gathered are wondering who the heck would betray Jesus in a way that was so troubling to Jesus. There is chatter amongst them, and Jesus speaks again, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” “So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.”

In this time of camaraderie, of sharing in a meal, of washing feet, Jesus knows all through this that Judas is going to betray him to the authorities, and yet he washes Judas’ feet, eats with him, and doesn’t get angry. He is troubled in spirit, so hurt, sad, and likely frustrated, but he knows it is going to happen. Jesus knows that this act is going to lead to death. Jesus also knows that it is part of what will happen, the work he has been sent to do among people, so that all people, then and now, could be reconciled to God through Jesus death, resurrection, and then ascension.

We have looked at what was going on prior to Jesus words that we should love one another, just as he has loved us. Yet this passage is also framed at the backend by Peter’s denial of knowing Christ. Something Jesus predicted. Jesus was experiencing betrayal and knew that the disciples, those he was eating and drinking with, those who had been with him for the last three years, would scatter. He would be utterly alone in just a few hours. Again, even with those things in mind, he tells them, “Do not let your hearts be trouble. Believe in God, believe also in me.” (14:1-2) He proceeds to tell them that he is going before them to prepare dwelling places for them. They will be together again.

At the time, none of this makes sense. That is why reflection is such an important part of our faith tradition and is a good practice in our lives. When we reflect on our experiences with others, ourselves, and with God, we most often come to understand more fully or at least find ways to learn about what was important and life changing about these things. It is why in looking back to when this was written we can see what was important.

Jesus said to those he had spent so much time with, had invested in them with his words and works, his teaching and love, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have love you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Loving one another was not something new, what was new about the commandment was that it was to be lived out in the lives of those who call themselves followers of Christ, lived out in the example of washing feet even if you don’t have to, having a meal with those you know may betray or walk away. It doesn’t mean it isn’t troubling, Jesus was troubled, but he loved anyway. Let me say this does not mean that you have to put yourself in harms way. If you are in an abusive situation, don’t feel that God intends for you to continue to be abused. We are not asked to be a saviour, that was Jesus. But where possible and often going beyond our comfort zones, our love becomes an example of Christ’s love. Love is the ethic of Christian behavior. Love defines us. When the church stops loving, reaching out, washing feet, feeding others, bringing good news of saving grace to others, not as those who are better than others, but as a Presbyterian Church in Canada statement call Living Faith (9.2.1) says, “We should not address others in a spirit of arrogance implying that we are better than they. But rather, in the spirit of humility, as beggars telling others where food is to be found, we point to life in Christ.”

In another place that same document it explains, “Love is compassion for creation. Love is service of others and is not self-centred. Love speaks the truth tempered with kindness. Love grows in knowledge and discernment It is the road to Christian maturity, and is the way of seeing others as God see them. Love follows the example of Jesus Christ.” (8.3.3)

This is the kind of love that we are called to in Jesus. The same Jesus who suffered hurt from those closest to him and those who would seek his death. If God is to be glorified in us, if Jesus is to be glorified in us, we are called to live a life of faith and love whereby in this everyone will know that we are Jesus disciples, if we have love for one another, just as Jesus loves us.

This is our calling. We will not do it perfectly. We are human beings and we get it wrong, but more often than not, if we are following the forgiving grace filled example of Christ, we will bring more love to the world thank was present before. We will make a difference if only for a moment by our love. Knowing that the church has lost so much creditability in the world, our hope is that people will know we are Christians by our love in Christ, with Christ, and through Christ. Not as orphan, but as people empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.   Amen.

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