Growing Disciples Monthly Reflections are written by a variety of leaders across our synod; as such, the language reflects the individual's personal theology. We give thanks to Ms. Janice Forrest, a member of Zion Rockford, for this month's reflection on worship. Janice had the opporutnity to preach at Zion on May 18th and offered her sermon to the synod.
"Jesus said, I give you a New Command, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you. You should also love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples. If you have love for one another." - John 13:34-35
Now, let’s look back to when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. Jesus was knowing that, Thomas will doubt the resurrection. Jesus knowing that Peter will deny knowing Jesus, after Jesus is arrested. THEN there is Judas, who will betray Jesus, AND hand Jesus over to the people who want to kill him.
Jesus knew all of this, and he still loved them.
Just think how Jesus humbled himself while washing Thomas feet, knowing that he will doubt him; washing Peter feet knowing that he would deny him and knowing that Judas would betray him.
Jesus knew all of this. Jesus still got on his knees and washed their feet. Knowing all of this, Jesus still loved them unconditionally.
Jesus said I give you a new command: That you love one another LIKE I have loved you.
Now, you know that the greatest commandment: Is to love the lord your God with all your heart, soul, body and love your neighbor as yourself.
This means to love the ones who will doubt you, who will deny you, and even betray you; Or bless the ones who cuss you, pray for those who prosecute you, If someone strike you on the right, Give them the left.
We do know about petty bickering: spouse having petty bickering, Relationship, siblings, friends, partners all have petty bickering. What about jealousy towards one another, or a division in the church?
With all of that, do you still love one another as Jesus did.
Do you have unconditional love for that person after any argument or bickering or even being jealous, the strike on the right, someone cussing you or a division in the community? JESUS DID!!!
Jesus said pass no judgment and you will not be Judged. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Jesus wants us to show love and to be his disciples.
To get on our knees and wash one another’s feet.
To become disciples for Jesus is to help his children, feed them, let them in when there are tired and hungry. To sit down with sinners, the unhoused community, at a table to eat and talk with them, and even fellowship with them. That’s what Zion is being, Jesus disciples. Showing love and giving love to the ones who feel like they are not loved or wanted.
You show love by helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it hurts, or by taking someone harsh tongue and you not saying anything back in return. Or even someone talking behind your back (that tongue) now that person is in front of you talking to you. or someone lying on you. Can you do what Jesus did. Humble yourself and get down on your knees and wash that person feet with unconditional love? This kind of love is hard. Not say anything back. Or just to walk away.
Especially when you are vulnerable: which means to be wounded.
This is what Jesus, teaches us.
That we should open ourselves up to love one another.
Even if it opens us up to be wounded.
This is the love Jesus teaches us and that is what Jesus did. Jesus loved people who were not like him. He loved people who disagreed with him. He loved people who looked at the world differently from him. There is no one who Jesus didn’t love. That is the one thing Jesus is capable OF doing, is loving everyone.
It does not mean that Jesus didn’t challenge people. Or get frustrated with people or even rebuked them.
Jesus still loved them no matter what. Jesus wants us to do the same, to love one another no matter what.
When you leave church today you might or might not see a prostitute, a begger or someone who looks unclean or a tax collector or people in society we don’t see.
Jesus said even the ones who are not our neighbor is our neighbor, and they are all loved by Jesus.
That’s what Jesus wants us to do is to love one another, THE SEEN AND UNSEEN.
Our Neighbor is anyone and anywhere.
Now, Jesus is not saying to accept or agree with the wrongdoing.
What we do is meet them where they are at. We let them know that they can ask forgiveness. Invite them to church. Let them know that God love them, and that you love them too.
Loving people as Jesus did is not easy. It’s never going to be easy to love unconditionally.
It’s never going to be easy to love in a way that makes us vulnerable, that opens us up to be wounded or hurt. Jesus never said it was going to be easy. To love one another.
But it is possible to love one another. Jesus would have never commanded it. If he didn’t do the same. He is not asking us to do something that he has not done or is doing. Jesus wants us to do exactly what he did and is doing. To love one another, as I have loved you.
Because the reality is, the love you give is a reflection of the love you have received.
I am a witness to my family history. There is a sense in which the way I love is a display of the way I was loved. Maybe I have a hard time showing love, because I felt like it was never shown to me. Maybe I do go above and beyond to show love. To make up for what I didn’t have growing up. That should not define me as a Christian. Because as a Christian I can demonstrate love that goes far beyond my personal experience.
But, let me tell you this, Jesus has showed me how to love our neighbor and how to be loved and how to love one another. Jesus got on his knees to show me how to love. Now, I am working on how to love. I am still a sinner, I can ask for givenness. To keep teaching me about loving one another. That is an amazing thing for me. To where I came from to where I am NOW. Because I am growing as a child of God.
Because Jesus, love should be a color of our relationship in our church today, sinners, unhoused, braggers, prostitutes, uncleaned, thieves, liars and more.
The way we interact with God’s children. Our willingness to serve in every aspect should be different. It should be something that people outside the church should notice that you are Jesus disciples. Just to have the unbelievers or people who are not coming to church said to you. You are one of Jesus disciples. Then you let them know that they are loved too.
That’s what Jesus wants us to do. Is to love the next person, your neighbor. To let them know they are loved unconditional, BY JESUS AND YOU.
Jesus died on the cross still loving us. Jesus said, "FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING." Jesus died teaching us how to love one another. No one has greater love than to lay down their life for their friends.
Jesus wants us to show our love to his children, just like he did, dying for us and loving us.
Now, here is some more Good News. Because Jesus, loves us unconditional he is showing and teaching us this every day, every minute, and every second someone needs to be loved. When we fail Jesus, and we will. We are all human; Jesus is still working on us. God’s love is laying down for us again to you and me again today.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
