Chosen to Love (MPLS)

John 15:9–17

Jesus said: ”As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

‘Text Message’ Reflection:
From Pastor Meta Herrick Carlson

In John 15, Jesus offers a framework for our sacred belonging. Last week we heard the first eight verses in which Jesus fleshes out the image of True Vine and Vinegrower. We are the branches, nourished and pruned for the sake of a plentiful harvest: love, life and liberation.

In these verses, Jesus appeals to us as a friend. This relationship implies deep trust and mercy, a generous love that is willing to take risks and give of oneself. It is not transactional and does not keep score. This friendship is how we practice living out the Great Commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

Jesus goes on to talk about how contrary this love looks and feels in a world that measures weakness and persecutes those who don’t play by the rules of earthly empires. The whole chapter is a beautiful reminder that Jesus understands the tension of belonging to the Kingdom of God and being mortal in this world. He knows the only way to flourish is through good tending from the Vinegrower and friendship that transforms the world with love.

‘Text Message’ Reflection Questions:

• What does it feel like when, “your joy is complete”?
• What do you make of this shift in our relationship with Jesus from master and servant toward friendship?
• In verse 16, Jesus says, “You did not choose me, I chose you.” How do we experience that theology in and through the sacrament of baptism?

Prayer:
Loving God, you continue to choose a relationship with us even when we are not being good stewards of your Great Commandment. Inspire our mercy and love with yours, that our friendships and communities would reflect your relationship with creation through Jesus Christ. Amen.