John 13:31-35
May 2, 2010
“PARTING WORDS”
“There is just one thing I regret.” That was how my dad began his final words to me before he died. The day before lapsing into a coma the two of us were in his hospital room together and alone. He knew what I needed to hear; he knew what he needed to say. There is just one thing I regret. I wish I could live long enough to see you ordained.”
I will never forget those words, partly because it was simply the last conversation I had with my dad. I will never forget the words for another reason. My dad had not been supportive of my call to ordained ministry. Not only had he had different dreams for me, but he also was not too happy with the church. The only pastor with whom he had connected had, in his opinion, been forced to leave town by people in our home congregation. His less than enthusiastic response to my announcement that I wanted o become a pastor was probably his way of wanting to protect me. Nonetheless, his final words to me became the affirmation I needed to hear, and I will never forget those words.
On this 5th Sunday of the Easter season when resurrection is still fresh in our minds, we are encouraged today to look back. We are encouraged to look back to that night during which Jesus was betrayed, the night before his death. Our Gospel text asks us to go back, back to that evening when Jesus had washed the disciples feet, when Jesus had initiated a new meal that we now call Holy Communion, that night when Jesus announced that one of his own disciples would betray him, that night when Judas left the room to initiate Jesus’ arrest. John the Gospel writer tells us that when Judas ad left, Jesus turned to his disciples with some parting words, words that would probably be remembered for the rest of their lives. There wasn’t much time. Jesus needed to be clear and direct; there would be no parables this time. “Little children,” Jesus began. “Little children.” What wonderful loving words! “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 should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
“Take care of each other.” “Love one another.” If you don’t remember anything else, remember to love one another. Jesus knew. Jesus knew the chaos they would soon feel. Jesus knew the separation the disciples would soon experience as they ran in all directions. Jesus knew how the awful truth of betrayal would set in, probably causing disdain for Judas. And Jesus knew; he knew how easy it is to lash out at those closest to us when we are in the midst of crisis. “Love one another . . . be patient with one another in the days ahead” . . . parting words.
It seems to simple. “How will everyone know that you are my disciples?” Jesus asks. They’ll know you belong to me because of the love you will show to each other.
On this side of the resurrection as we affirm and proclaim that Jesus is alive, that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead, we may have forgotten Jesus’ words prior to his death. On this side of the resurrection when we have Gospels and Creeds, and scholars to consult, it may be easy to minimize the impact of Jesus’ parting words to those he loved so much. On this side of the resurrection when there are mission and vision statements and constitutions and long-range planning teams and a building to maintain, we may become confused about that is essential. On this side of Easter it is important that we go back to that night Jesus was betrayed and refresh our minds and hearts with his parting words . . .’it is about loving one another as he has loved us.” Little children, his little children, are people of all ages. That is who we ought to see as we look into one another’s eyes. Jesus’ little children. The mission when it is all said and done is: love.
Today we bring Time and Talent sheets to the altar. In the end, what is that about? It is about love.
Today we welcome experienced and committed disciples to our particular family of faith, and in the end, what is that about? It is about love.
Last Sunday I announced need within the Feast family, and I asked you to be generous in feeding the Community Needs fund to assist those families. You responded in jaw-dropping fashion. You have helped greatly, and in the end, what is that about? It is about love.
One scholar I consulted on this text noted: “This new command of Jesus is simple enough for a toddler to memorize and appreciate, and it is profound enough that the most mature believers are repeatedly embarrassed at how poorly they comprehend it and put it into practice. How embarrassing it is for many of us who call ourselves Christian to recall that Jesus wanted to make it easy for us by having us focus on this one thing; yet we have found so many other ways to identify true believers and often have a hard time putting this commandment into practice even in our own family lives.”
We can admit that sometimes there seems to be more conflict and arguments in churches than the groups that are made up of non-Christians. It is so easy to forget what Jesus was about, what Jesus taught. In the end, it is about love. It is so easy to forget that Jesus literally said, “Just as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another.” Parting words . . . words to think about before we speak, before we act. Parting words . . . and he calls all of us his little children. Parting words . . . before he died to bring forgiveness our way . . . before he died to bring salvation our way . . . before he died, literally, for us.
Until our dying day let us not forget Jesus’ parting words. And let us act on them. Amen.
top