‘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.
Well at first glance, the meaning of Jesus words to his disciples seem self explanatory, in that they express something that we can all relate to. The Love we experience in our daily lives is important for our sense of wellbeing, and reveals itself in so many ways that at times we may even take it for granted. Love in all its guises is the theme for countless songs, films, poems, books, and greetings cards. In our church, our families, and in the wider community we see endless examples of love for each other, and to illustrate this I would like to share with you some of my own recent experiences.
As most of you know, I was successfully treated for bowel cancer four years ago, and made a complete recovery. Unfortunately this was not to last, and the routine
check-up last September showed that the cancer had re-occurred as two small tumours on my liver. This news was devastating to my family and I, and difficult to come to terms with. Further in-depth tests were arranged very quickly, and the good news was that the cancer was confined to my liver, and was treatable.
The next hurdle was the treatment itself which sounded daunting. The consultant explained that I would firstly have to undergo three months chemotherapy with its many side-effects, and after a few weeks rest over Christmas would then have major surgery to remove the affected part of my liver. Once I had recovered from this, I would then need further three months chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. At the end of these nine months of treatment the consultant said that would feel as though I had run the marathon. In spite of this daunting prospect we were comforted and reassured by the optimism and the confidence of the consultant and surgeon for a successful outcome.
And so in mid September I embarked on what seemed a momentous task, and at times I wondered whether I would have the stamina and will power to see it through.
Almost immediately this news became public, get-well cards and letters started to arrive almost daily, and our sitting room started to look like Clintons cards, and still does. As well as this there have also been countless telephone calls, e-mails, and personal visits from family, friends, workmates, and members of the staff and congregation from both here and St. Nicks. I received home communion, and countless prayers have been offered up on my behalf by the church community here and elsewhere, and by many individuals. Perhaps the most striking thing about all these expressions of love and compassion is the depth of feeling expressed which has been quite an overwhelming and humbling experience.
It goes without saying that the skill and the care of the medical team, and the treatment have played a key part in my physical recovery, which so far has been successful. But equally important has been the love, and support shown by so many people. Throughout this period, my family and I have quite literally been conscious of this in a way that is difficult to describe. Strangely enough it felt a bit like running the marathon and being spurred on by the cheers and support of the crowds.
It is through experiences such as this, which I know some of you have also lived through, that we can begin to experience a deeper meaning of Jesus commandment to love one another.
One of the hallmarks of St John’s gospel from which today’s reading came is that it can be readily appreciated by those who read or hear it, so much so, that no further explanation seems necessary, and we could perhaps leave it there. But you’re not going to get off that easily. You see, behind the apparent simplicity of John’s gospel it also has a deeper meaning, and so I would like to spend a few minutes looking a little closer at the setting for today’s reading.
Three years had passed since Jesus began his public ministry and for most of that time his disciples had been with him. They had heard him teach the vast crowds, witnessed his many miracles, and listened to him as he has explained his mission and purpose for coming into the world. They have also seen his compassion for others in healing the sick and even bringing the dead back to life. Now they have come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast and will eat one last meal with Jesus before his arrest, trial and crucifixion, and it is from St John’s account of the last supper that today’s reading comes. Before beginning their meal together, Jesus washes the disciple’s feet, something normally done by a servant. By this act he not only shows them the humility with which they should serve others, but also symbolically, that through his death and the waters of baptism their sins would be forgiven.
Following the institution of the Lords supper, Jesus now has but a few hours to remind them of all that he has taught them. He also reminds them of his mission and purpose for coming into the world, and of all that lay ahead. It is in this setting that Jesus speaks this passage from today’s gospel reading;
‘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.
One of the things that led to our Lords trial and crucifixion was his apparent flouting of the Holy law of Israel, handed down to Moses on Mt Sinai 1200 years earlier, and sacred to the Jewish people. There are many accounts in the gospels of Jesus being challenged by the Jewish religious leaders for his apparent disregard of the many commandments that were a way of life for Jewish people, and on one occasion they asked him this question to test him;
“Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind’. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments”.
The new commandment given by Jesus did not replace these, but takes them to a new level and meaning. From now on they should love one another as they love themselves, but also as god loves them as shown through his son.
Well what does this new commandment of love mean for you and me as his followers today? Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus revealed the true nature of God’s love for us. A love which is endless and unconditional, does not depend on our social status or our way of life, and takes no account of our failings or achievements. Finally, all that Jesus did during his earthly ministry culminated in the supreme act of love, his death on the cross. Through this amazing act, our failings, whatever they are, are washed away, and we are at one with God. Free to live as he intended, free to live as shown to us through the life of his son, and through his resurrection we are filled with the hope and promise of eternal life.
In following our Lords commandment many people have paid the ultimate price, and surrendered their lives for the sake of others, and many continue to do so. We may not be called to pay the supreme sacrifice, but we are called to give of ourselves completely in the service and love of each other, and in sharing our faith. Perhaps we glimpse a love like this most clearly in the relationships between parents and their children – the love that loves to the end, that nourishes and comforts, but which also trains and disciplines, and goes on loving even when there is rejection and disobedience.
There is one final aspect to God’s love as revealed through our Lord. In today’s New Testament reading Peter realises through the vision that Gods love shown through Jesus is not just for the Jews but for all people. And so as his disciples today we are called to share that same love not only with those we already know, but with all who we meet in our daily lives.
You will find on the pew in front of you a yellow card with a prayer of St Teresa of Avila which is yours to keep. She wrote several books which many Christians find helpful in their spiritual life, and I believe this prayer sums up our calling as Jesus disciples today,
‘Christ has no body now on earth but ours,
No hands but ours, no feet but ours;
Ours are the eyes though which to look out
Christ’s compassion on the world.
Ours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good,
And ours are the hands with which he is to bless men and women now.
