May 13 part 2
On to the John reading for this week. John 14:15-29 (I've added a few verses to the lectionary segment because I think it's hard to break up this chapter of John intelligently)
This is part of the "Farewell Discourses" which are Jesus' last instructions to his disciples in John's gospel (following supper, footwashing and the dismissal of Judas to betray Jesus). In this chapter as in the previous one, Jesus focuses on his "new" command to "love one another as I have loved you" and the implications of that. He also focuses on his leave-taking and the implications of that.
He has already told them that he will go and prepare a place for them and then come and bring them to himself. But now he talks about how he will continue to be with and for them in this life! He promises the presence of the Holy Spirit ("I will not leave you orphaned") and indicates that the Spirit will enable them to remember and enact not only what he has taught, but that the Spirit will continue to reveal new things to them (God is still speaking!)
Having told them earlier he will prepare a place for them, now he tells them that if they keep his word, then "we" (God and God enfleshed) will come and make a home with them ("tabernacle" with them, sort of saying God will pitch a tent with us). God will come to US to dwell; we don't have to wait for heaven to be in God's presence!!
Finally a blessing of peace, such a peace as the world cannot know.
So as our church calendar indicates that this Sunday is the Festival of the Christian Home, I am wondering what it means for our homes to consider God dwelling there with us? What exactly does a "Christian Home" look like? What does it mean to keep Jesus' word, to love as he loves us?
This is part of the "Farewell Discourses" which are Jesus' last instructions to his disciples in John's gospel (following supper, footwashing and the dismissal of Judas to betray Jesus). In this chapter as in the previous one, Jesus focuses on his "new" command to "love one another as I have loved you" and the implications of that. He also focuses on his leave-taking and the implications of that.
He has already told them that he will go and prepare a place for them and then come and bring them to himself. But now he talks about how he will continue to be with and for them in this life! He promises the presence of the Holy Spirit ("I will not leave you orphaned") and indicates that the Spirit will enable them to remember and enact not only what he has taught, but that the Spirit will continue to reveal new things to them (God is still speaking!)
Having told them earlier he will prepare a place for them, now he tells them that if they keep his word, then "we" (God and God enfleshed) will come and make a home with them ("tabernacle" with them, sort of saying God will pitch a tent with us). God will come to US to dwell; we don't have to wait for heaven to be in God's presence!!
Finally a blessing of peace, such a peace as the world cannot know.
So as our church calendar indicates that this Sunday is the Festival of the Christian Home, I am wondering what it means for our homes to consider God dwelling there with us? What exactly does a "Christian Home" look like? What does it mean to keep Jesus' word, to love as he loves us?
posted by shelly @ 12:42 PM
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