A Word from the Pastor – April 9

^“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NRSV)

If things were normal right now, we would gather together in our sanctuary tonight and conduct our Maundy Thursday service. It is a service that offers us an opportunity to travel back to the Upper Room and experience the events that led to the crucifixion. It is about hearing the old, old story told once again.

The word Maundy is simply an old English word that means commandment or order. It reflects what Jesus said in the Gospel of John, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus could not have put it more beautifully. The entire message of Jesus can really be summed up in three words. Love each another. With his life Jesus gives us the model to follow. On this night he demonstrated his love once again by stooping to wash the feet of his disciples and telling them, “For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”(John 13:15)

As a church, our witness to the world should be a community of people who love each other, minister to each other, laugh with each other, cry with each other, and offer friendship to each other. Then we should turn that love out into a hurting, hungry and longing world. The love we have for each other in the church should radiate out and be so irresistible to those on the outside that they bang on the door to get in and experience the love only the body of Christ can give them.

Jesus gave us a simple and life transforming commandment. Love each other as I have loved you. May we go and be a loving church to help transform our community and ultimately our world. Amen.