The Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2004

Acts 13:44-52 or Lev. 19:1-2,9-18; Psalm 145 or 145:1-9; Rev. 19:1,4-9 or Acts 13:44-52; John 13:31-35

More than halfway through the Easter season, today’s gospel plunges us back into the night of the Last Supper. Only a few hours before his passion will begin, Jesus brings up three points to the disciples who remain at the table with him after Judas has left. Judas’ departure sets irrevocably in motion those events that will lead to Jesus’ arrest, and Jesus states that “now the Son of Man has been glorified” (John 13:31).

Next, Jesus tells the disciples that he is going to a place where they cannot follow him — that is, to condemnation and death — though they will follow later, as Jesus states a little later in John 13:36.

Finally, following up on these two portentous declarations, Jesus commands the faithful eleven to love each other. They are to do so by following the example Jesus set by loving them, and also as a testimony so that “everyone will know that you are my disciples” (13:35). It is astonishing to realize that Jesus speaks these words after one of the twelve has left the table to betray him to those who seek his life, and when he faces a night of indescribable torment that will culminate in the public spectacle of his agonizing death. Of all those involved in the events — Judas, the other disciples, the Jewish leaders, the Roman government, the general populace engaged in celebrating the Passover — only Jesus at this time knows that his death is certain. And in that certainty, he commands his followers to love each other. Clearly he speaks of a love that cannot possibly be mere sentiment or emotion, no matter how powerful. It is a love stronger than betrayal and death.

This kind of love is built on a foundation of the absolutes of God’s sovereignty. This is why Jesus describes the betrayal by Judas as his “glorification.” Similarly, the command at the end of the lesson in Leviticus — “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” — is the culmination of a list of details about behavior that enjoins justice upon the citizens. That is, it is acts, not feelings, that are commanded. This is so important that Jesus adds it to his answer when asked which is the greatest commandment. Then he puts this teaching into action “on the night he was betrayed” in this triumph of invincible love in the face of hatred.

Look It Up

With today’s lessons in mind, read 1 Corinthians 13. Look through and beyond its familiarity and find something new in this well-known and beloved passage.

Think About It

Identify the followers of Jesus who are most attractive or convincing in your life. Is it not true that they are those who are most truly loving, rather than those who are perhaps mostly sentimental about Jesus?

Next Sunday

The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 16, 2004

Acts 14:8-18 or Joel 2:21-27; Psalm 67; Rev. 21:22-22:5 or Acts 14:8-18; John 14:23-29