Serving Love

November 1, 2020 Background Scripture: John 13:1 – 35 Lesson Passage: John 13:1 – 15, 34, 35 It is generally believed that John wrote his account of the gospel at least twenty years after the other three authors, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Of the four writers, Matthew and John were clearly eyewitnesses to the many events of Jesus’ ministry. John likely read the other three accounts and therefore he was careful not to simply repeat what had already been written. John’s account of the gospel fills in a lot of gaps left by the other writers; and yet he declared that all the accounts collectively don’t come close to recording all that Jesus did—John said the world could not contain the books that would be required to do that! John provided much more details than the other writers about Jesus’ evening prior to his arrest. The Background Scripture of our lesson is part of John’s written account about that evening. It appears to have been two or three meals eaten that evening; the first century recipients of the writings would have understood this, and no further clarification was required for them. As one of the meals was ending, Jesus arose from the table and dressed himself like a slave. He poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet. This would have been customary had they been invited guests at the home of someone who had servants to perform this task. This was very unusual after having followed Jesus for over three years as his students/apprentices. Their graduation was approaching, and this was one of Jesus’ final lessons for them. Earlier, they were bickering about which one of them would be the greatest. Jesus presented this lesson as a show and tell. He demonstrated the principle first, and then he explained the principle to them. Their Lord and Master had placed himself below them and served them as a slave would. Jesus did not behave as a host—although he was the host. The lesson was this: The greatest among them would be the one who would be willing to serve the rest of them. Their greatness would not come from being lords over each other. To emphasize this point, Jesus declared his actions to be an example for them to follow. Jesus was not instituting a new religious ritual but demanding that they have a new attitude towards each other. Note that Judas Iscariot was at the table and received the foot washing from the Master. Jesus told them that one of them was going to betray him. He identified Judas to John and then he dismissed Judas from the room. The other disciples did not know why Judas was being sent out. Then Jesus gave the eleven a new commandment; they were to love each other in the same manner he had loved them. Jesus went on to tell them that serving each other as slaves would be the distinguishing mark that would readily identify his true followers. To do so would be an act of true love for each other. Jesus always spoke of love as an action and not an emotion or statement of affirmation. This was not a suggestion or recommendation for them. This was a commandment that they were charged with keeping. They were not told to dress a certain way, talk a certain way, or wear certain religious jewelry as advertisement so others could identify them. Their act of service towards each other would be the distinguishing sign to all men that they were Jesus’ disciples. Do people know who we are? Or have Christians today become incognito? If there are doubts, we can erase them by serving each other in love. Robert C. Hudson October 12, 2020

Love Never Fails

October 25, 2020 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27 – 14:1 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:1 –13 It is not what a person possesses that matters as much as what possesses that person. That sums up the topic of our lesson. This topic is from verse 8 of the Lesson Passage: Love never fails. In this passage of scripture, Christlike character is exalted above spiritual gifts and ministry. Who you are is more important than what you have or what you do. Put another way, who a person is, is more important than the fact they are anointed and the service they render to others while under that anointing. Character counts. After discussing the vanity of having spiritual gifts that are not accompanied by love, and the behavior of believers governed by love, Paul concludes that love is eternal. On the surface that appears to be a giant leap to a conclusion. How did Paul reach such a conclusion? Let’s consider what Paul wrote to accompany his conclusion. After Jesus returns and Christians are glorified, there will no longer be a need for the spiritual gifts that are so needed today in the church—and in the world! Yes, those wonderful, and necessary, gifts of today will no longer be needed when all things are made perfect. The spiritual gifts are the manifestations of the Holy Spirit within the body of Christ. The gifts are the spiritual tools needed to empower Christians to be bold and effective witnesses for Christ. Jesus admonished his followers before his ascension to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrives to empower them with the gifts before they go and declare the gospel to the world. It is clear that spiritual gifts are indispensable for reaching lost humanity with the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. However, Paul warned the church that having spiritual gifts and employing them in ministry is rendered ineffective in the absence of a Christlike character that is the product of love. Even when change comes about because of the gift, it is not to the credit of the individual who used the gift. There is no reward for their labor when it is not a labor of love. Paul concludes that having the spiritual gifts without love reduces the person to: sounding brass or a clanging symbol, nothing, or results in no profit. A character of love exhibits longsuffering, patience, kindness, humility, gentleness, and restraint. Prophecy, revelation, and teaching impart knowledge for our spiritual awareness and growth. However, when all truth is revealed, there will no longer be a need for them because we will then know everything completely. Those gifts will then be shown to be temporary because they will cease. The crescendo of Paul’s argument is “Love never fails.” That is amazing when one considers: never is a very long time! There will never be a time when love will no longer be needed. Love is an essential and enduring facet of the Christian character. Love is greatly needed in this imperfect world and yet it will be just as needed in the perfect world to come. When all ese has failed or is no longer needed, there are three abiding graces given by God: faith, hope, and love. Faith and hope are necessary as we await the fulfillment of all things. Faith trusts God’s promises and hope looks for the manifestation of them. But when everything expected has arrived, why hope for what is readily seen? Faith and hope will hold out until all comes to pass as God has promised. After this, only love will remain. Love is the greatest of the abiding graces of God. Robert C. Hudson September 26, 2020