As we travel along the windy road back towards where we roughly were before the words Coronavirus or COVID-19 became household names, we must pause to reflect on what we had then, and whether we wish to return to those times, or look to the lessons we’ve learned and for ways to improve upon both our own individual situations and the outlook for the world in general. In NSW, we have started the relaxation of our lockdown protocols and we are heartened by the news that, for the first time since January 25, there has been at least one day with no new cases of the virus reported in our state. But, despite that, and the fact that religious gatherings of up to 10 people are now allowed, we will not be re-commencing our Sunday services for a while yet. The Synod of NSW/ACT has determined that the risk of transmission still outweighs the benefits of meeting in person, so I’ll be continuing my weekly reflections for the foreseeable future, until we have approval to open our church building again. John 14:15-21 Continuing on from our look at the resurrected Lord last week, Jesus is now saying farewell to his closest friends, his disciples. His instructions centre upon love, trust and the presence of God through the promised Holy Spirit, the Advocate (v16). In this passage, Jesus introduces them (and us) to the concept of the Trinity (God being 3 in 1). Because he recently walked the road to the cross, Jesus knows how hard our road out of lockdown is, yet he seeks to keep us true to his call. We may be unsure - afraid even - but we know that we’re not alone. We may be confused, but we’re guided by the Spirit. The commandment to love as Jesus loves, is neither easy, nor impossible. It is the way - the only way. Even after the return of Jesus to the Father, the Spirit remains with the disciples; but this doesn’t mean the Spirit replaces Jesus. Rather, the Spirit discloses the presence of the risen Jesus and his Father to the community of faith. You might like to think of the Spirit as the one who strengthens us, comforts us, guides us, and inspires us. It’s the Spirit who enables us to interpret the signs of the times in ways very different from the ways of the world. It’s the Spirit who works through us for the transformation of the world. It’s because of the fact that the Spirit has already been given to us that, in the midst of our journey of life, we’re able to live those promises into fulfilment. We may be considered foolish by others who live in the world without this hope, but it’s probably just that they don’t understand the Spirit of God. The communities that John was writing to would have been embattled and uncertain little churches, also in need of reassurance and promises and yet, like those first disciples and us today, in need of a challenge. Maybe, though, we all need to know exactly what the expectations are. We want to measure up, fulfil our obligations, make the grade, do what's right, please God and maybe please others, too. So, what does Jesus tell his disciples to do? He tells them to keep his commandments - and we all remember what those are, don’t we! But what mattered most to Jesus was love, and it's no surprise that "love" is in the very same sentence with "obey my commandments." Many bible commentators, in attempting to discern wisdom from the scriptures, seem to wrestle with this command of Jesus (or is it actually his observation?), that "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." It almost sounds as if all our talk of grace is meaningless in the face of a requirement like that. Does it really all come down to this - that we need to obey the rules (ie. to love) to earn our way to heaven? First of all, we might respond that we believe that the commandments that mattered to Jesus were those two about loving God and loving our neighbour. Secondly, we could suggest that Jesus isn't actually making a conditional statement but instead is putting forth an obvious fact: ie. that when you love someone, really, really love someone, doing what is good and right comes so much more naturally and easily. Perhaps parents are a good illustration of this: it may be a challenge at times to be a parent, but the love one feels for one's children makes it a "no-brainer" to do what's good for them; it's obvious that if you love your children, you're going to take good care of them. Do you remember the story of Solomon and the two mothers in 1 Kings 3:16-28, where Solomon was asked to determine who was the real mother of a child? He suggested the solution would be to cut the baby in half, giving half to each woman. But one of the women pleaded with him to not kill the child but, rather give the baby to the other woman. It was obvious to Solomon that she really loved that child and could not bear to see it killed. Therefore, she was the real mother of the baby. Perhaps Jesus' statement can be viewed with that same wisdom. Rather than read it as “If you love me, you will keep my commandments", should we perhaps interpret it as "Because you love me……"? Love prompts us to pattern our lives after the model of Jesus, the one we love. This means we will live with clear consciences, with gentleness and reverence. The love that comes to us through the Spirit will overflow into the lives of others. We will be agents of God's love in the world. Our lives will be evidence of the presence of the Spirit in our midst. But is it our love of Jesus that redeems us? As I said earlier, I believe that it’s the other way around. It’s because he loves us that we are saved. So, what do we learn from this reading from John’s Gospel? It’s that God wants us to have a living relationship with him. He loves us unconditionally and in order that we may walk with him now, here on earth, he gave us a living reminder, the Holy Spirit, so that we might commune with him. Let us pray. Lord, as we struggle with life during this pandemic, we pray that your spirit will guide us on the path of righteousness and keep our eyes firmly on you. We pray for all those who have been adversely affected during this time, be it to their health, both physical and mental, or to their way of life, their jobs and relationships with those they love. We thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit – a Comforter to be with us at all times. Bring us safely out the other side with a renewed love for you and with a will to improve both ourselves and the world that we inhabit. Amen. Pastor Rick
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