May 17, 2009

“No Greater Love Than This” – John 15:9-17 – May 17, 2009

One time there was a teacher in New York who got the idea of giving each of his students three blue ribbons. The ribbons had gold letters which said, “Who I am makes a difference.” Each student was to keep one for themselves, then give one away to someone they wanted to honor or show appreciation. Then that person was to give the ribbon to yet another. One boy gave his blue ribbon to a junior executive who had helped him with his career planning. The junior executive then went to his boss. He admired him for being a creative genius in spite of the fact he had an overbearing reputation. His boss was overwhelmed by the junior executive’s appreciation. That night he went home and decided he would pass on his blue ribbon to his son. When he gave the ribbon to his son and told him how much he loved him, his son replied, “Dad, I have been thinking about running away from home. Now I don’t have to.”

Could it be that this is the kind of love Jesus was talking about when he told his disciples to “love one another?” So often we take those who are close to us for granted. We don’t always tell our spouses and children that we love them. We often discount the fact that our simple acts of kindness can spread beyond our small worlds. As disciples we know that we are to love others but Jesus calls us to love in a way that challenges how far we are willing to go.

To love as Jesus loved goes beyond being nice, tolerant or accepting. The love that Jesus modeled was a love where one “lays down his life for his friends.” It is a love that is sacrificial, forgiving, constant and all encompassing. And, Jesus didn’t just encourage us to love in that way, he commanded us.

Jesus’ message of love to his disciples was essential in order for the Church to grow. It was the actions of the disciples and the quality of their relationships that would determine the effectiveness of the faith community. It was not about policies, traditions, rules and the “organization.” It was about the depth of love the disciples were willing to demonstrate to each other that would continue the mission of Jesus’ ministry in the world.

We live in a different time and the world has changed drastically in the last twenty centuries. Does Jesus expect us to truly love others in the way that he commanded the first disciples? If so, what does it mean to “lay down our lives for our friends?” Is passing out blue ribbons the way to show our love to the world, or is it something else?

I believe we have to take seriously Jesus’ words, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The implication is that our love should be limited to only those who are closest to us. That may be true, but we have to remember that Jesus also talked about love of neighbor that included complete strangers and even adversaries. Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? In that example Jesus described a loving act that went beyond familiar territory.

Why is it so difficult to love as Jesus loved? One reason is that we limit the definition of who our neighbors are. Another reason is that we don’t want to look foolish so we always have our guard up. And, to love unconditionally is too extreme or risky.

When we attempt to define the boundaries of our love we limit it. The more “conditions” we include in the commandment to love each other means there will be less risk involved. The end result is that we end up with a faith that is weak and ineffective.

It is a noble thing to sacrifice one’s life for the sake of others, like for example a soldier who “gives his life for his country.” We don’t have to die however to love sacrificially for the sake of others. For example: we can put others before our own personal needs and desires. I have many colleagues who have given up lucrative careers to be in ministry. I am also aware of people who have put the needs of their families ahead of their own personal ambitions. It’s not about how much money can I make, it’s about being a servant. It’s about sharing ourselves and our resources with others.

Another way we can demonstrate the love of Jesus is by risking our own reputation and ego by being with someone in their time of despair.

Recently the New York Yankees opened a new baseball stadium. I’m sure that there are many fans who will call it “The house that Ruth built.” When Babe Ruth reached the age of forty, which is old for baseball, he was traded to the Boston Braves. In one of his last games, the Braves were playing the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati. Even though, “the Babe” was declining in years, a big crowd came to watch him play. He didn’t do very well in that game. He dropped two balls and made two bad throws which let in five runs for the Reds. The great crowd booed and jeered as the old ball player, once the greatest player in history, walked off the field. About the same time, a young boy jumped over the rail and ran onto the field. He threw his arms around the knees of the man he admired. Ruth looked down at the young boy, lifted him up and gave him a big hug. Then he knelt down on the ground, tousled the boy’s hair and the two of them walked of the field together. A profound silence settled over the whole stadium as the crowd witnessed the affection of a young boy for a man in his moment of humiliation and despair. Then all the thoughtlessness and cruelty of the crowd began to fade.

My grandson is playing little league baseball. He will probably never be a Babe Ruth, but he is trying. The other day he had his first game. In this league of 6-7 year-olds, an adult pitches to the batters. If the hitter is unable to hit the ball after 5 pitches, they bring out the “tee,” like the ones used in tee-ball. After a few swipes my grandson hit the ball from the tee. He had finally gotten a hit. Excited about the hit he began to run but he wasn’t sure which way to go. His coach stepped onto the field and pointed to first base. My grandson ran to first like he had hit a homerun. Actually, he hit it to the second baseman, but as far as he was concerned he had hit a homerun.

Wouldn’t life be different if we had all those second chances? Imagine if there were no strike-outs. Imagine getting support and being pointed in the right direction even though you had no idea which way to turn. In my grandson’s league they don’t keep score. After an hour and a half, the game is over, regardless of how many runners have crossed home plate.

Wouldn’t it be great if we lived in a world that did not keep score? Can you imagine a society where you could purchase a new car or home regardless of your credit rating? Can you imagine living in a community where no one took into consideration the number of times you had made a mistake or failed?

I believe that “to love others as Jesus loved” means there are no conditions to our love. No one is keeping score. Everyone is treated equally. The least among us are treated with respect and totally affirmed as persons. There is no prejudice or any criteria where one person or group is distinguished as superior or inferior to any other.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle in loving others unconditionally is our inability to receive God’s love for ourselves. God forgives us but we really don’t live freely, as though we had a second chance. We are too conditioned to accept society’s scorecard for our lives. When we truly receive the love of Christ, no one strikes out. Jesus has given each of us a blue ribbon. It is infinitely long. As Paul said, “love never ends,” and at the same time there is no limit to where our love, I mean, “blue ribbon,” can reach.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio

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