Sunday, May 19, 2019              

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  John 13:31–35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 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.” (NRSV)

Reflection
“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

All the debate about how people should be treated, who deserves what, who should be excluded, who should be rewarded—here’s the answer.

“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.”

Who’s a success, who’s a failure, who’s in, who’s out—here’s the answer.

“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.”

What to do about the outcast, the prisoner, the widows and orphans, the sick, the poor, the socially awkward—here’s the answer.

“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.”

How do we live with other people, people who are so different, whose habits are not like our own, who dress differently, think differently, act differently—here’s the answer.

“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.”

With humility, with affection, with regard for need—as equals.

“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.”

There is no “but” after this statement, no qualifier, no equivocation. Simply a defining statement:

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

No humility, no acceptance, no regard, no help, no love—no discipleship. It can’t be clearer. In fact, it’s so clear, it’s so uncompromising, that we run from it. It scares the life out of us. And it doesn’t matter.

“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.”

It’s not a suggestion.

Prayer
Lord, the simple challenges demand the greatest struggle. Help us to be diligent in hearing and following your word. Amen.

Written by Rob Koon, Coordinator of Fine Arts

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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