Love will make a way

Jo Penn May 18, 2025 2 0

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

Listen to this daily worship

John 13:31-35 (NIVUK)

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

33 ‘My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: where I am going, you cannot come.

34 ‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’

Jesus commands the disciples to ‘love one another’ just as the tone of the drama turns dark. A Passover meal celebrating all that God has done to bring his people from slavery to freedom, becomes a place showing the primacy of love in the face of betrayal. Jesus is about to set humanity free from slavery to sin, to live freely in the reality of God’s love.

The sentence before today’s reading says ‘And it was night’, not just referring to the time of the day but reminding the reader that here the darkness sets in. Judas has made a decision against Jesus and is now walking towards the fulfilment of that choice. Judas is unable to stand under the pressure of the way that Jesus is choosing to respond to the threats on his life, and by implication the threats on the lives of his followers.

Yet, in response to Judas’ walking out of the room, Jesus talks of how God has been glorified in himself, and that there is more glory yet to be shown. In the midst of the darkness there is blinding holiness shining from himself to show a different way: the way of love through active non-violence; not defending himself when standing trial; caring for others even when he is dying nailed to a cross.

Prayer:

Jesus, you ask us to:

Love one another – when the unthinkable happens.

Love one another – when a friend betrays.

Love one another – when our lives are at risk.

Love one another – when we feel deep grief.

Love one another – when you appear unexpectedly.

Love one another – when a new call is given.

Love one another – when the Spirit comes to empower.

Love one another – to encompass all nations and peoples.

Jesus, help us to:

Show our Love in action, word and prayer.

Submit to your making us One people, loving you.

Be open to welcoming Another to your table of love and reconciliation. Amen