For the past few Sundays of this Easter season, we’ve heard from John’s gospel. Two weeks ago, we heard Jesus identify himself as “The Good Shepherd” (John 10:11-18) who cares for us, protects us, and guides us, so that we may walk a certain way – his way – and that our lives might imitate his. Last week we heard Jesus identify himself as the “True Vine” (John 15:1-8) who gives us life – his life – so that we might bear fruit for God and each other. And today we hear Jesus identify himself as “friend” (John 15:9-17) who shares with us all truth – his truth, “all that he has heard from the Father” – so that our path and our life might be illuminated by the light of God.
Jesus invites us to walk his way. Jesus invites us to partake in his life. Jesus invites us to grasp his truth. And in return for this gracious invitation, Jesus asks only one thing from us – to love each other just as he loves us. Or maybe to put it better – Jesus teaches us that it is only by accepting his invitation – it is only by imitating his way, embracing his truth, and allowing him to live in us – that we can love the way God loves – a love that is characterized by sacrifice, kindness, compassion, mercy, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness. And Jesus teaches us that, by loving this way, we not only grow in fellowship with each other, but we also grow in fellowship with him and are drawn more and more into the communion between Jesus and the Father.
So, we accept Jesus’ invitation with gratitude for the great love that he has for us. We go forward striving to remain faithful to Jesus’ command to love. We continue onward, with hearts and minds open so that we might continue to grow in relationship with each other and Jesus – our life, our truth, and our way to the Father.