Love each other as I have loved you John 15:9-17

John 15:9-17 Gospel reading for Sunday 13th May 2012

I used to get frustrated with John's gospel. Every time I realized that the reading for the week was another selection from John, my natural reaction was to think ... 'Can't I have something simple for a change?'

Yet something interesting has happened. It seems that the more I have wrestled with John's gospel, the more I have grown to appreciate the profound and unique nature of it and ironically the simplicity of it.

This week's reading has brought that home to me even further. I would admit that on a first reading of the passage my initial thoughts still were ... 'Oh no ... here we go again ... another John struggle!'

I had been searching around and pouring over this off and on for a few days wondering where to start with some reflections on this passage, but when I woke this morning, it was rather incredible that the answer was clearly on my mind:  three simple words ...

I chose you

So simple really, yet religion seems to make it far more complex than that. God chose every single person on this planet, regardless of background, race, colour, religion, gender,sexual orientation, behavioural record etc. God chose each one of us unconditionally, with no strings attached.

On the one hand that may sound a bit like universalism** and in the sense that everyone is chosen, yes it probably is. The question is what do we do with our chosen-ness? Do we truly believe that we are chosen? For those who make their own choice and say 'I don't want to be chosen by God', Jesus makes it clear that there are consequences (which is where universalism comes to an abrupt end.)

But what about those who don't know that they are chosen? That's where I think there may be a major surprise, certainly if we take into account the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25, where the sheep clearly express surprise that they had been chosen. Is it possible then that some people have responded yes to their chosen-ness without even knowing it? In the bottom line of the reading (in more ways than one), Jesus seemingly reduces everything to one simple command 'Love each other'! (verse 17). So putting all that together, is there a suggestion that those who love each other in the same way that Jesus loved us, are Jesus' friends and remain in His love, possibily without even knowing they have been specially chosen by Him?

Radical thinking perhaps, but then again, we are dealing with a radical God, who is still unfolding the mystery of His kingdom to us in these days and continuing to show us the amazing and radical nature of His grace.

Some might be thinking ... 'but what about Baptism? Where does that fit into all this? Does it have a place then?' You bet it does ... but that's a story for another day!

In the meantime as we work with young people and families in our Lutheran Schools and as we encourage our own staff members who may be just starting out on their spiritual journey ... Let's keep it simple. What a great starting point to reinforce these three words from Jesus ... "I chose you".

Nev

** For those who are not familiar with the term universalism, broadly speaking it is the notion that everyone is saved.