Love One Another John 13:31-35

(from our midweek Lenten Series: Three Words of Truth)

            My three office windows remain shut during the chilly winter months. That makes outside noise muffled and my workspace quiet. So, naturally my ears perked up to an uncommon noise. About 50-feet outside my office window stood a man screaming into his cellphone. His arms are waving, his feet stomping. You could make out some words. Obviously he was upset about something. (Frankly, I’m amazed that someone remained on the other end.) Just to think that he unleashed this tirade on another person. Then, a little later, I heard a car horn blare— and not just a little toot, but hold-the-horn-down-as-long-as-you-can blare. Apparently a Ford Explorer turned onto McEwan Street and this little black Ford Focus did not appreciate that. He blasted that horn from Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home to Witbeck’s Grocery while driving about two feet off the back bumper. Obviously this driver was angry.
            Now, perhaps the cellphone-man and Focus-driver were wronged, but that did not catch my attention. Even if they did receive poor treatment, it was shocking to watch them mistreat others even worse. I mean, if they did not appreciate how they were treated, then why would they repeat that same rude action? Know the answer? Behind that anger beat a heart immersed in sheer, careless selfishness.
            Every human heart— yours and mine included— demands that no one hinder its pursuit of pleasure. When someone does interfere, the heart pushes that menace away.
            What about you? Jesus probes the condition of your heart with three simple words: Love One Another. Jesus demonstrates real love and Jesus leaves us to live in love.
 
            Listen to our reading from John 13:31-35:
When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
 
            This is still Maundy Thursday evening— and the hours quickly tick down to Good Friday. Judas has just slinked out the back door. You know his intentions; even Jesus exposes his scheming plan. Judas lies: “I will not betray you, Rabbi.” and Jesus responds: “Yes, it is  you” (Matthew 26:25). Remember, this is a disciple! Judas marvels at Jesus’ powerful authority to calm wind and waves, to feed thousands with one sack lunch, to raise the dead. That powerful Word even penetrates his heart and had created faith. Now, Jesus peers into the heart of one of his own and pinpoints a greedy, murderous pursuit.
            Judas believes 30-pieces of silver will fill him with lasting happiness. He pursues this satisfaction to the point that he willingly places the welfare of his Lord into mortal danger. So, he scurries down the stairs, runs out into the misty dusk, and paces towards the residence of the high priest in order to exchange the location of Jesus for money.
 
            This is what the human heart is capable of doing. It demands that no one hinder its pursuit of pleasure. If someone does interfere, then the heart pushes that menace away.
            (1) That’s why frustration appears. A child cries out during worship. Instantly, ‘my’ pursuit of silence is hindered. Because that child hinders my pursuit, I push that child away. I do that with glares. I mumble something just loud enough for the parents to hear so that they can feel ashamed. I demand all people meet my standard of a quiet worship atmosphere. (2) That’s why stubbornness creeps in. ‘I’ hold expectations about Christian giving. Any mention of increased giving hinders my pursuit of maintaining ‘my’ views of giving. Because I do not like hearing about ‘my’ offering, I push back. I refuse to consider my financial blessings. I refuse to ponder God’s teaching about stewardship. I refuse to think about areas where I can grow in giving. I will stubbornly give as I have always given. (3) That’s why jealousy grows. ‘I’ want to feel valuable in the areas in which I want to feel valuable. When I am passed over to serve, that hinders my pursuit of self-value. Because no one praises my talents, I push back. I cut down my church leaders, accusing them of incompetence. I refuse to help when asked because I want my congregation to suffer emotionally just like I did.
            The list can stretch on… Just think about this. You (and I) might be inconvenienced by a fellow believer. You (and I) may disagree with a congregational decision. You (and I) may have strong opinions not always embraced by others. If you do not appreciate receiving unfavorable treatment, then why repeat the same rude action? If you do not appreciate hearing certain words, then why repay with criticism? Because behind our anger beats a heart immersed in sheer, careless selfishness.
 
            The selfishness so often found inside you (and me) is that significant. In fact, it is so significant that Jesus says what he does to the Eleven remaining disciples. The evening’s evil events have been set in motion and Jesus responds: Now is the Son of Man glorified. Understand, ‘to glorify’ does not mean: ‘to be bright’ or ‘shiny.’  To glorify’ means ‘to honor’ or ‘bring praise.’ Jesus will ‘bring honor’ by dying because of Judas? Yes!
            The only way you (and I) would ever enter heaven is if Jesus allows his innocent life to be used as your payment for sin. So, Jesus willingly demonstrates real love. He lays aside a heavenly throne and an angelic chorus. He allows Judas to lead a mob into Gethsemane. He remains silent when liars deliberately hurl untrue statements. He obeys when faced with death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Jesus demonstrates real love by removing your selfishness (and mine) and does not seek revenge on you— but rather remembers it no more.
            In fact, when Jesus examines your heart, he no longer sees selfish pride. Instead, he sees his selfless heart beating. [T]he Son of Man glorified. He ‘brings praise’ into your (and my) life. No longer do we live only for the next short-lived pleasure, we love and live for him who gave all for us! (2 Corinthians 5:15) And we can, because God is glorified. Jesus ‘brings praise’ to our God and Father. No longer do we tremble over our failures to love. Instead, we hear a Father forgive, and a Father who calls us into self-giving living.
           
            The only reason we can ever think about loving each other is because Jesus demonstrates love for us. This is where it starts. See the cross, see the love. Then those three words begin making sense. Love One Another because Jesus leaves us to live in love.
 
            He can leave. My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. Jesus wins! He conquered any fear we may have of spending eternity in hell. He cleansed your heart. He rises into heaven, not because he runs away from us, but to tell you: “Mission Accomplished.”
 
            Jesus might have physically left us, but he has not abandoned us. He still guides and shapes our lives with three simple words. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. This is not a ‘new’ command, as though it never before existed. Rather, Jesus he breathes renewed life into something that was already there. Love one another. The action continues: “Keep on loving… continue showing this love to each other…” Jesus does not throw out ‘love’ for us to determine what kind of ‘love’ we show. Rather, he instructs: As I have loved you, so you must love one another. So, how did Jesus love you? He laid aside all praise, glory, and honor, was beaten to death, and raised to save you.
            This is the love we imitate. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. The two go hand in hand. Because Jesus loved us, we are his disciples. Because we are disciples, we follow his commands. Because we love following his commands, we love loving each other.
            You care for one another. You write cards to the sick. You pray for each other. One person’s sadness is your sadness. Concerns and anxieties are shouldered by you. Maybe you do not consider these small reactions as ‘love,’ but they are. Taking time to meet the physical, emotional, and mental needs of others is you reflecting Jesus’ selfless love.
            You reflect that ‘selfless’ love even when you receive nothing in return. Your Jesus laid aside all things and receives nothing to benefit himself. Him laying aside all things benefits you. You may lay aside a pursuit so that others may benefit. Selfless love is willing to absorb wrong. Selfless love seeks the betterment of others and works toward resolutions. So, instead of anger over noise, you rejoice that the next generation hears the praiseworthy deeds of your God. Instead of sniping at parents, you may ask if they need an extra hand with their child. Instead of dreading setting aside your offering, rejoice that your gifts help share Jesus with many who do not know him. You delight in partnering with each other to carry out this high privilege. Instead of clinging to strong opinions, work gently with your leaders, with your fellow congregation. Even if you still disagree, you rejoice that God’s truth is still proclaimed among you. That, dear Christian, is the most important pursuit of all.
 
            Every human heart— yours and mine included— demands that no one hinder its pursuit of pleasure. When someone does interfere, the heart pushes that menace away.
            Jesus demonstrates real love by never pushing you (and me) away. Instead, he comes for you. He lays aside all things to make you his disciple. So you are! The love that has touched your life is now the love you show through your life. Jesus leaves us to live in love. What joy we have in embracing Jesus’ three simple words: Love One Another.