Materials for Worship at Home on the Fifth Sunday after Easter

Moira writes: This morning we look at the Gospel passage from John13.31-35, but you may also wish to read the other lessons for today which are Acts 11.1-18 and Revelation 21.1-6.


In this 19th century painting by Carl Bloch, we see all of the disciples of Jesus turning towards him after he has announced that one of them would betray him. Notice though that Jesus is looking directly at the retreating Judas, an image that says it all. As Jesus gave Judas the bread dipped in oil, he said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Jesus didn’t wait for any length of time before he said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.”

The course of events that Judas’ departure initiated would normally have been understood by everyone to bring shame upon Jesus. Shame occurs when we feel exposed and belittled. In addition to being unbelievable painful, crucifixion was humiliating. The victim was stripped, his body was mutilated and then was put on display, in a way which made his suffering public. Yet as Judas leaves him, Jesus declares that he has been glorified, not shamed.

This ritual of public execution was not exclusive to the time of Jesus and to the time of the Roman Empire. We see throughout history horrific displays of what is portrayed as justice being done to those who would not conform to the law. Take for example the guillotine in France at the time of the French Revolution. Those who were to be beheaded were paraded around the streets in an open wagon and then executed on a high platform for all to see.

It became such a blasé act that old women would sit around the platform knitting! Although Jesus prepared the disciples for what was to come, Jesus’ crucifixion probably felt to the disciples as a sign that things had got out of control. I expect that they asked Jesus the same questions that we often ask when evil seems to have the upper hand: ‘where is God in all of this? How could God let this happen?’

Jesus was clear that his death was something that he willingly submitted to. Far from being evil triumphing over good, Jesus’ passion marked God’s victory over sin and death. We know that the disciples of Jesus carried on after his death and resurrection, following his earthly work of revealing the Father and calling to the Father those who belonged to him. They carry on his work as they love one another. After all, Jesus had given them a new commandment, to love one another just as they have been loved by him. He doesn’t claim that love is a new concept. The Old Testament is full of evidence of God’s love for his people. What is new, I think, is the character of this love. The followers of Jesus are to love one another in the same way that he loved them, which is also the way the Father loves Jesus. Just as the Sermon on the Mount presents the Ten Commandments in a way that goes beyond the technicalities of the law to the underlying meaning, so Jesus’ new commandment to love, redefines the meaning of love.

Showing this kind of love to those around us whom we consider to be our brothers and sisters is not so hard to do, but this new commandment is not limited to the community of Jesus’ followers. We know from scripture that Jesus told us to love our enemies also, which is so much harder to do. God’s love knows no bounds and God gives that love to the whole world whether we are aware of it or not. Not only does God’s gracious love create us and sustain us, but in Jesus that love transforms us. Through him we know God’s love in a particular, personal, and mutual way. God’s love is no longer something we receive, it is something we participate in, we practice God’s love as we love one another.

We know that God knows each one of us by name. I find this wonderfully reassuring, that he knows each and every one of us personally and we can come to him in prayer each day to give thanks to him for his love for us. In Jeremiah 1.4-5 we hear these words, “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” Also, in chapter 1.11 we hear, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said this, “It is impossible to love Christ without loving others, and it is impossible to love others without moving nearer to Christ.” I think this sets us a challenge, to try to love everyone we meet, not comparing them to others, but loving them for who they are. In Jesus’ death, resurrection and return to the Father, we see the depth of God’s love for us and we can know with certainty that the creation that God made in love is moving toward a culmination of that love when Jesus returns in glory. That glory is foreseen in the love Jesus’ followers have for each other.

In your prayers this morning you may wish to pray:

That God’s love is spread throughout the world, especially in areas of conflict.
Continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia and all who suffer the effects of war.

That love for God’s creation would move people and governments to take more care of our planet.
Pray that decisions taken in government would be ethical and not harmful to God’s creation.

That love and care would be shown to the elderly in care homes and to those in hospital.
Pray for all who work long hours caring for those who are ill and pray for those you know who are ill at this time.

That God’s love would sustain us this week and help us get through any difficulties we may be experiencing.

The collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter:

O God, who alone can bring harmony to the minds of your faithful people:
give us grace to love the things you command, and to desire the things you promise;
that, amid the uncertain changes of this world, our hearts may be firmly fixed where true joys are to be
found; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.

May God’s love surround you today and always.
Moira