John 14:15-21
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ.
Our gospel reading opens with an interesting statement; if you love me you will keep my commandments. Jesus makes a connection between love and obedience. I'm sure to most of us obey has a negative connotation. We are instructed to obey our parents from early childhood and then to obey authority and people in authority as we mature.
But what is obedience? We probably think mostly of it as compliance, conformity, or submission. They are appropriate synonyms but so are duty and respect. Duty and respect indicate something much different than say submission. Duty and respect are more in line with relationships. We may feel a duty out of loyalty to someone. We may respect someone because of their values or wisdom. Of course we may obey someone because we love them.
Children obey their parents until the demons of ADD and hormones intercede. More importantly parents obey the needs of their children because they love them and want to care for them.
Think about the most demanding individual you can. Did you think of an infant? Probably not, we normally think that the most demanding person we know is overbearing like an unrealistic boss, or perhaps a tough teacher. However an infant child is probably the most demanding person you could know. Parents are obedient to the every need of the child, because they love the child. The constant care may be difficult it may even seem like drudgery at times however the parent perseveres, obedient to the care required to nurture the child.
Obedience as God sees it is about the relationship we have with Him. If we look at the commandments in the Old Testament they were about His relationship with the people. The commandments weren't meant to be a burden on the people. Over and over we see that He blessed them when they were obedient to His commandments. It was a two way relationship. That two way relationship has not changed to this day. God expects us to obey His commandments for our own good and in return He blesses us in many ways. Both sides of the relationship are a demonstration of love.
In Matthew (22:36-40) we read that a Pharisee an expert in the law asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied,"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Unfortunately our obedience to these two commandments often appears to be too difficult for us to attain. I'll admit to being self-absorbed forgetting God's place in my life and also forgetting to love my neighbor as myself. I can think of many times I've set aside time for prayer and for some reason during the prayer my mind wanders. Just like when I have a conversation with a friend that meanders aimlessly. Of course I would be remiss if I didn't admit to prejudging and passing judgment rather than being open and accepting at all times.
I would like to think I have become much better at keeping these commandments but the truth is sin clouds my vision, my feelings, and my thoughts. In those times I need a Counselor to guide me. Fortunately, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in me. The Spirit is here to help me discern what Jesus expects of me and how to achieve His expectations.
The Spirit is here to work in all believers, forever. Look at the miraculous change the Spirit made in the disciples. Look at the miraculous growth of the Church because the Spirit was working in believers. All believers realize their faith is a wondrous gift of the Spirit. That is because the Spirit is working in us.
I think sometimes we are a little hazy on what Jesus expects of us. We tend to make the same mistakes the Sadducees and Pharisees made. We get the notion that to worship God there must be a temple. We get wrapped up in the rules of doing things rather than the substance of what needs to be done. I'm not saying that we don't need some set of rules to keep good order but rather that the rules must be kept in proper perspective.
Fortunately the divine plan for us was to offer up a final sacrifice to make us holy, and open the gate to eternal life. In His infinite wisdom He enabled that plan to blossom through the sending of the Holy Spirit to everyone. Rather than a few having contact with Jesus before His ascension God opened up the gates so that all believers for all times could have a personal relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
So what does Jesus expect of us? To love Him and show our love for Him by keeping His commandments. Okay how do we do that? That's where He expects us to step up to the plate.
In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul gives his dissertation on the many parts of the body as analogy for the many talents given to the members of God's Church. In the church we have leaders with a vision to set a course. That vision becomes the mission of the congregation. A clear statement of purpose through which each idea is tested; if the idea matches the mission then we proceed with the activity. The church has organizers with ideas of activities the congregation can do to further the mission. The church has people to help plan the details of activities. And of course we have people to help accomplish the tasks. Some of us have multiple talents. The number of talents each of has doesn't matter. What is important is that we channel them into activities that give glory to Him.
Let's take a look back at the parable of the fig tree; 6 … "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
God expects us to step out in faith and use our talents. He does not want us to sit idly by and expect things to just happen. Four years ago I would never have expected to stand here or in front of any congregation. I don't feel I am articulate or particularly creative and I had difficulty standing before a group. Yet God has been calling over many years so I finally followed that call. That is one of the lessons that taught me nothing is too big for God! We have His Word to prove it and He promises the Holy Spirit to guide and protects us as we go about fulfilling His commandments. If you have never seen the movie, "Facing the Giants" I suggest you rent it.
So I challenge you today to ask the Holy Spirit to work in you, to guide you to use your talents to make a difference in this community. To make a difference people need to see the love of Jesus at work here.
I believe the ground is being fertilized let's take that nourishment and grow.
In the name our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
