Judas left the upper room at the last supper, probably believing that he loved Jesus so much that he was going to force Him to become the mighty military Messiah that many thought He was prophesied to be. But that kind of love wasn’t big enough for this world. Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who He really is, and God can be seen for who He is in Him. When we see God the Father in God the His Son, then God’s glory is manifest and proven. In glorifying God the Father, the Son of God is glorified. Then there is glory all around!” That’s the kind of big love that this big world needs.
Jesus then says: “Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’ Look high and low for going to the extremes of love that Jesus has taken (and still takes) for you and me. But you can’t go there – can’t touch that height or depth of love. “For I am convinced that... nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39).
Then Jesus gives you and me a new command: Love one another. In the same way He loves you and me, we are to love one another. So do we need to do this like a police officer or a judge commands us to obey a particular law? No! This command is for a big world that needs to know Jesus through our love. His love in and through us shows everyone, who are His disciples – “when they see the love you have for each other.”
Right away, John’s Gospel how even the best of the disciples “Simon Peter” was incomplete in his love and discipleship to Jesus. Peter asked, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You can’t follow me where I’m going right now. But you will follow later.” But wait Jesus, “can’t I follow you now? I’ll lay down my life for you!”
“Really? You’ll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.”
A trembling old man stood before the judge. He was charged with stealing a loaf of bread. He said his family was starving. “Well, I’ve got to punish you,” said the judge. “The law makes no exception, and I can do nothing but sentence you to a fine of ten dollars.” Then he added, after reaching into his pocket, “and here’s the ten dollars to pay your fine. And now I remit the fine.” Then, tossing the ten-dollar bill into his famous oversized hat, he said, “Furthermore, I’m going to fine everybody in this courtroom fifty cents, for living in a town where a man has to steal bread in order to eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines, and give them to this defendant.” The hat was passed, and an incredulous old man, with a light of Heaven in his eyes, left the courtroom with forty-seven dollars and fifty cents.”
You see. The law of love works differently than other laws. And what’s more obvious with Judas and the Peter’s idea about love and devotion - not one of us can pay the price for hungry souls like Jesus did on Calvary. If Peter’s love isn’t big enough, then mine isn’t big enough, either.
This past week Dexter folk had our 301 Club celebration last Sunday afternoon, then our Tuesday morning prayer breakfast, then Wednesday morning – the mayor’s annual prayer breakfast. After our 70 pre-school children prayed on Tuesday and Wednesday morning for God to teach us how to love one another, Annemarie and I went to Thursday’s National Day of Prayer at the capital steps. Then there was the Friday morning prayer meeting with several men at the Carmichael Building. Then I prayed with the officers at 2nd shift roll call for their supporting our May 18th kickoff for our round-the-clock 24/7 house of prayer and worship. Then 301 Club that night prayed for all those working for peace in Iraq and here in local communities. Yesterday, Annemarie and I prayed on the capital steps again with the state-wide survivors of fallen police officers. And today we join Frazer UMC in honoring our law enforcement officers, but especially those who have given their lives to protect the rest of us in our communities.
Ephesians chapters 4 and 5 give us very specific examples and guidelines as to how to share God’s love as His redeemed and sanctified children. (Read some examples).
Let us pray as we read together Ephesians 3:14-21: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
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