Lent day 4

John 15:12-17The Message (MSG)

11-15 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

17 “But remember the root command: Love one another

So, as a result of the astonishing sacrifice which Jesus made for us ( see yesterday's blog)   what should be our response ?   What do we owe Jesus for His great gift to us?  For the forgiveness of our sins, the freedom from the sentence of death, the promise of righteousness and a place in heaven.  What is it that we need to be or do now that we have come to the realisation that we have been purchased by the blood of the spotless lamb of God?

Well, according to Jesus we just need to love each other the same way that He has loved us.

Simples.

My first reaction on reading the above scripture is ' Well that's me stuffed.  It's impossible'.   And that was my second and third reaction too.   I mean how can it be possible to even begin to love like Jesus has loved me?    And then I read again, and again.  And I thought about the fact that God never asks of us anything that we aren't actually capable of.  And I looked in various translations of the text to see if any more light could be shed.   I like the Message because it makes it even slightly more accessible - lay your life on the line for your friends.   I suppose at a push I might be able to do that.  For a few of my friends.   In theory .

I remember saying to one of my very best buddies a few years ago that if they ever needed a kidney they could have one of mine.  And I absolutely meant it.  In fact I'd happily give a kidney to anyone I knew who needed one .   Any parent would most likely be prepared to throw themselves in front of a car or a train if they thought they could save their child from dying under the wheels.  There is definitely a love which will go above and beyond.... and maybe even to death.  But to love everyone like that???   Tall order.

And then I look again.  Is Jesus asking me to love everyone?  He is speaking to His disciples.  His closest friends.  These guys and girls who have been with Him and with each other for the past three years through all sorts of experiences.  In the storms, at weddings, at funerals and in the synagogue.  

They have camped together on hillsides and been entertained in the homes of the rich and wealthy.  They are a real community - a brotherhood - a family.   It's to these people that Jesus directs His commandment to love each other.  He is going to leave them and they are going to need to stick together and look out for each other.  They are going to need to be prepared to give sacrificially and even die for each other.   I dont think He is asking them to love the whole world..... just to be totally committed to each other.  To their special friendship group.  To those with whom they worship.   In effect, to their housegroup and to their church.

 He is yet to lay down His life for these precious ones and they must surely have recalled these words after His death and made the link between His statement here and the special relationship God had with Abraham - who was called ' the friend' of God.   Under the new covenant of His blood Jesus is telling them that they can now all have that same level of relationship with God that the patriarch had.  This must have been mind blowing for the disciples.

And of course as it turns out most of them ended up laying down their lives for Jesus.  Because they knew no greater love.

In a week where we have witnessed 21 Christians being beheaded by Isis, the idea of martyrdom for ones faith suddenly becomes that little bit more real.  It's still a long way off and a passing thought for most of us in the ' peaceful and civilised ' West.   But nevertheless there can't be a Christian who has heard the story who has not asked themselves what they would do if challenged to convert or die.   What would I do?   I actually think I might just be able to be executed for my faith.  But Im pretty sure I would not be able to be tortured for it.  Or watch my children be tortured for it.   But all around the world right now Christians are demonstrating that awesome love Jesus displayed by laying down their lives for Him and for others.  We dont know the half of it.  There are terrible things happening.

16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

But it is not all doom and gloom.  God doesnt ask the barely possible of us and leave us floundering. He follows up the huge love statement with something equally amazing - the fact that we have been chosen and that we are finally going to complete that purpose he gave to Adam in the garden.  WE are going to be the ones who will bear fruit ( remember that we were originally supposed to be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth and rule over it?)   Whatever we need in order to plant and grow that fruit He will give us.  

So the challenge for this day of Lent is to ask ourselves what is the fruit we are growing?  You and I are different plants in the garden of God.  Your fruit will be different from mine.  But that doesnt matter as long as we are both growing some.  The fruits of the spirit yes, but also, I think, the fruits of our personalities and gifts and talents.   Am I the very best me I can be at this time in my life?  And am I loving my fellow disciples in a self sacrificial way - putting my own needs down the page in order that their needs be met more fully?