Sermon nuggets Tues Aug 19
Theme- Showing Love
Verses- Verses: John 13:1-4 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. (NIV)
An Open Love
Jesus knew that He was to leave this world and go to the Father. He knew His hour had come. He was to die and His time was short. Whatever He hoped to teach His disciples had to be taught now, for there would soon be no more time on this earth. He was fully conscious of divine origin and divine destiny. Even though He was facing the unpleasant experience of the cross, it also was a step closer of returning to glory. He would be in the environment of perfect love with His Father. He could face the cross confidently because he was secure in knowing that was not the end, but the beginning of what He longed for. He knew He came from heaven and was returning to heaven. He knew the plan of the Father was to save mankind by Jesus' death. He knew there would be resurrection and ascension. He knew all that was happening which made him face his situation with security and therefore demonstration and confident spiritual love to others.
Jesus also knew the full extend of His powers, Being secure in yourself lets you be secure in your love. Because Jesus knew who He was, where He came from, what He had, and where He was going, He was completely confident of the situation. He could love openly in ways that shared his heart and pass that on to his disciples. You do not have to hide anything, you do not have to play games wondering how your love will be received. You can love in the purest sense and express it without worry of being accepted or rejected. Jesus loved those the Father had given him, namely his disciples and could tell them He loved them and show them the full extent of his love. Or another reading is that he loved them to the last.
The relationship which Jesus had with his disciples is the relationship He has with us. He loves us as well. Nothing we do, or fail to do, in foolish ignorance, will stop him from loving us unto the end. He may have to discipline us. That is an act of his love. He may bring remarkable experiences into our lives, but we may be sure that underneath all is his loving concern for us.
You can be open and honest and not hide. Did you ever notice people that are often insecure either hid in silence, or in playing games of not wanting to commit themselves too much lest they be rejected? Young love is sometimes that way. A couple is going on a date. The boy asks the girl, "honey where would you like to go?"
"Any where you'd like to go?" "She is trying to think of where he wants to go, he is trying to think of where she wants to go and they end up going to some place neither want.
A secure person can love without trying to prove anything. A secure person can let you know it, and not cover it up, dependent on how the others will respond.
When we are insecure and desperately crave and depend on others approval, when we see other people as potential threats and enemies then our responses to them are guarded, tentative and defensive. Not only does insecurity affect love, but love also affects our security. Love also can have a way of making us feel accepted and accepting of others and brings out confidence. Love has a way of moving us to service. When someone falls ill, the person who loves him will perform the most menial services and will delight to do them, because love is like that. When someone love another very much he can risk for the other in an act of self sacrifice. It supersedes self centeredness.
There are some things that I know. There are many things that I do not know. Faith is trusting in the one who is knowledgeable. What I know helps, but believing in someone I can trust gives me confidence and peace of mind as well. Jesus is trying to show the disciples that they will not know everything there is to know, but they can trust Him. That trust should be enough for confidence. It should be enough for obedience, it is enough for faith; it is enough to love back openly without fear of embarrassment or self consciousness.
Pastor Dale
