Missing Puzzle Piece
John 13:31–35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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Introduction
I'm going to peel back the curtain to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of why we read some of the Bible passages we do on Sunday morning. Many churches follow what is called the "Revised Common Lectionary," which is a three-year cycle that covers a significant portion of the Bible. The beauty of the Revised Common Lectionary is knowing that on any one Sunday, you are most likely meditating on a similar piece of scripture being read at a church nearby, across the country, or somewhere else in the world. The downside of the revised common lectionary is that we often find passages that are not read within their full context. It's like getting a puzzle to find out that a piece is missing, but that's okay; it was designed that way (you feel like you are missing out). Let's fill in the missing piece of our reading this morning because by the end, it will allow us to truly appreciate the new commandment Jesus gives to his disciples and gives to us.Filling in the Blanks
What's missing in our reading is the larger literary context. The passage for today brings us back to the events of Holy Week. As the disciples gather around Jesus, he knows who will betray him. Jesus knows that Judas will betray him. In addition to the disciple who would betray him, Jesus knows that even his most faithful disciple, Peter, will also deny him when questioned by those around him. Yet, even knowing all these things, Jesus proceeds to continue his mission of modeling true love and teaching his followers until the very end. Jesus doesn't give a grandiose speech exposing Judas' betrayal, nor does he lay into Peter for his betrayal. I don't know about you, but if I were in Jesus' position and knew what was coming next, I would try to prevent what was coming. Yet, we aren't Jesus, and here we begin to uncover the lessons that lead to the new commandment. Jesus knows what's going to happen next. Even though Jesus knows that Judas is going to be the disciple who betrayed him, he still offers Judas a piece of bread. He gives Judas food, and he even washed Judas' feet. Jesus, also, as we said before, knows Peter will eventually betray him. Peter will deny knowing Jesus, yet even knowing all of this, Jesus still takes time to answer Peter's questions. Why does Jesus extend this kind of grace? Perhaps when we fill in the missing piece of our reading this morning comes from the very beginning of the chapter, where it reads, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." (John 13:1b) The only thing Jesus could do then was to get up and lower himself to wash the feet of his disciples, who were perfectly flawed and loved.The New Commandment
What is the new commandment Jesus gives? He tells us, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." That's it? That's the new commandment? Where's the expectation of the disciples to follow strict adherence to a set of beliefs that don't change over time? Where's the command that says that you have to be this or that in order to be called a disciple of Christ? You're telling me that it's by our acts of love people will come to know us as disciples of the living God? Perhaps there's another piece of the puzzle that is missing; indeed, Jesus could not have meant what he said; there must be more, right? Or maybe Jesus has had his say, and we are the ones who are missing something key. Well, maybe "missing" isn't the right word, so much as we try to overcomplicate the process of becoming a disciple. The church has a history of telling people they need to make loyalty pledges, they need to profess their faith to an unmoving set of confessions, and any missteps would result in you getting kicked out. But no amount of correct theology or moral purity would ever be enough to make oneself worthy of Jesus' love. So here in this thirteenth chapter of John, Jesus demonstrates what putting love into practice looks like for people who would fail him, for people who would make mistakes. The larger puzzle that we are filling in is the ever-expanding love of God. I know that I am not deserving of such love, just as I am sure that many (if not all of us) are deserving of such love. Yet, that is what makes it all the more meaningful. It allows us to grow deeper in our relationship with God and one another.Conclusion
Let us consider what piece or pieces are missing from the puzzle that reveals what it means to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves. What's great is that even if we find our puzzle is missing a piece or two, Jesus will help fill in the missing section. Let us celebrate that we are able to worship and follow in the footsteps of our living God, who continues to proclaim an Easter message of new life and resurrection, a message that transcends our belief of who is and isn't worthy (who's in and who's out). Let us go and celebrate with joy that we, as imperfect and beloved disciples, can co-labor with Jesus in this work of welcome and healing.