Lectionary for fifth Sunday of Easter.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34
Collect. Almighty Father, whose Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is the light of the world: set us on fire with the Spirit of power, that, in everything we think and say and do, we may proclaim the wonder of Christ’s resurrection. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Acts 11:1-18. Acts is Luke’s record of the ministry of the early church and today’s reading is a further exploration of Peter’s early foray into the Gentile world. Before we look briefly into the passage we should not lose sight of one of Luke’s major emphasise, namely the Kingdom of God. Luke recounts this emphasis as Jesus begins his ministry in Luke 4:43f “But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea”. This reminds us that in the Kingdom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave or free, male and female; all are one in Christ Jesus.(Galatians 3:8) While all that is true this passage reminds us of how difficult it was for the early church to shake off the customs and traditions of the society in which they lived.
Luke records that there is significant dissention among the leadership when they hear that Peter has been associating with Gentiles. It is a reminder to us that the disciples are real people, facing the difficulties of life just as we do. In response to the criticism Peter carefully begins with the vision that had touched his heart. Through this vision he was challenged to put aside his prejudices and respond obediently to God. Peter reminded them of the angelic message which had come to Cornelius. Then as he recounts that the Holy Spirit had fallen on the gathered Gentiles in a similar to the way the Spirit has fallen on them, their objections are put aside and Peter’s actions are accepted. The text is written in a way that reminds us that this conclusion did not come easily to the other disciples.
Peter did not try to defend himself but simply and precisely explained what God had done and was doing. The leaders who were in Jerusalem were Jewish converts, and when they heard what God was doing among the Gentiles, “they held their peace”: Acts 11:18 KJV. A reminder that it took a little while to grasp the meaning of what Peter had said. When they had fully grasped the meaning they praised God and we can almost sense the amazement when they say that even Gentiles can find repentance through God’s gift of Jesus Christ.
As Gentiles we might wonder why the surprise, and yet this cutting across boundaries in the ancient Jewish world was almost unthinkable. We need to understand through this passage that by his resurrection Jesus has brought a total renewal of all things. This is a completely new beginning and so old habits, traditions and customs have to be redefined through Jesus Christ. With the repentance that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection affords, entry into the Kingdom of God is possible and new life can begin. Jew and Gentile alike receive this wonderful gift from God.
Prayer. Holy Lord, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; with thankfulness and humility we come and offer our prayers to you. In a time which boasts so much of the good things in life we confess to you Lord that in our modern world hatred and violence still ravage people all over the globe. Even in our own society divisions are still maintained. Forgive us Lord for our intolerance and our failure to recognise your way of love. We pray for those who are shamefully abused because of their faith: May they find strength and comfort in the powerful presence of your Holy Spirit. We pray for those who are the persecutors, that they may experience a change of heart and minds, so that justice and mercy might prevail.
Finally we pray for ourselves Lord, that you would forgive our complacency and preoccupation with our own needs, and that you would guide us with wisdom and patience into avenues of service which will make a difference in lives, even lives which might be far away. We ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen
Reading. John 13:31-35. Judas leaves the Passover gathering and Jesus knows that the betrayal which will lead to his arrest has begun. Jesus did nothing to prevent Judas from betraying him, indeed the actions of Jesus had made his arrest inevitable. With the absence of Judas, Jesus can begin to teach his disciples about future events.
Through his record of this incident John is reminding us that Jesus had made up his mind to be the sacrifice that would fulfil the true promise of Passover; the escape from slavery into a life of freedom. This sacrifice will glorify both God and Jesus. It is this Passover sacrifice that will change everything. As Jesus’ word reminds us this change which will glorify God, and Jesus, will happen without delay; his victory over sin and death will be revealed. There is a lot of tenderness, (little children), as he begins what is essentially a message of farewell. Jesus gives his disciples a “new commandment”. In one sense the command to love one another was not “new” for the principle of love was written into the community laws in Leviticus; “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself”. Lev. 19:18.
Now with the death of Jesus and the gift of a life of freedom, loving one another is both possible and is also commanded. For the Christian loving one another is not an option it is essential, because it is a part of what we, in Christ, have become. While the original ordinance in Leviticus was directed at Jews, now with the new community that Jesus is inaugurating we all belong together and so everyone becomes our neighbour!
We can get all sentimental about “loving one another” yet we need to remember that Jesus gave it to his disciples as a command, not a request. Loving one another is part of declaring that you are indeed a disciple of Jesus: As the song says, “By this shall all know that you are my disciples!”(Together in Song.no. 699)
Prayer. Most holy God, our ways are not your ways nor are our thoughts your thoughts, our deeds do not reflect your deeds. Often we are the timid disciples who need rebuking, the fearful who need encouragement, the clumsy who need correcting, the proud who need humbling, the rebellious who need recapturing, the sinners who need much saving. We recognise Lord that your words and actions are not easily understood nor is your command to love easy to follow. Again and again we need to learn the lessons of tolerance and acceptance that you so clearly taught. Again and again we need to hear the command to love and not to judge. How often Lord have we refused you because you were a stranger to us. How often have we turned away from you because you were different from the imaginations of our hearts and minds. Keep us deeply immersed in the truth so that we will honour you with our lives as well as our worship. May the principles we acclaim on Sunday be the principles we live by throughout the week, and to your Name be all honour and glory now and forever. Amen
Collect. God of all mercies, you have called your people so to love one another that the world may witness you. So may your grace fill the earth that all creation may resonate in praise of you and in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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