This week, we turn from the stories of Jesus' post-Resurrection appearances to his disciples to a look at how those appearances affected his disciples. After encountering Jesus in the flesh, the disciples were energized. They went forth to carry the message far and wide. Letters, like the one we read today, give us a glimpse into the message that they spread across the Empire and beyond (see 1 John 3:16-24).
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As you know, over the past few weeks, we have been focusing primarily on the post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus. We’ve heard the story of Mary Magdalene and Peter at the empty tomb and Jesus’ appearance to Mary, we touched on Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on the Emmaus road, heard that Jesus appeared to Peter, and then we’ve read two different version of Jesus’ first appearance to the gathered disciples.
One of the things we have noted is that these appearances of Jesus to the disciples has been an opportunity for Jesus to continue their teaching. Not only has he shown up to prove that he is in fact alive, he also reminds them of all the things he has taught them. And he has reinforced the key teachings that he wants them to remember above all others.
Last week, I pointed out how part of the reason for this is that Jesus is preparing them to go out and spread his teachings. After all, they are witnesses to all that Jesus has said and done. They are witnesses to his resurrection. He needs them to know what to focus on.
In fact, Jesus started this before his death on the cross. In the final week after he entered Jerusalem, his teaching took on a greater focus and intensity. He knew that his time with the disciples was drawing to a close. He tried to tell them. He tried to help them understand. They simply could not comprehend a Messiah who dies, a king who sacrifices himself.
At the last supper, he gives them a new commandment -- to love one another as he has loved them. When he appears to them again a few days later, even though he speaks of forgiveness and repentance, his disciples surely remembered that earlier teaching. When he tells them that they are witnesses who will go forth to tell others, everything they had heard from him is framed by these points -- love, forgiveness, and repentance.
In the last two weeks, we have touched briefly on what happened after the disciples had their post-resurrection encounters with Jesus. They spread the word of Jesus to the edges of the known world and beyond. While their ministry appears to have remained centered in Jerusalem with James as a key leader, other disciples went in other directions. We know that Thomas is said to have traveled east into parts of Asia, rumored to have traveled at least as far as India and perhaps farther. Matthew is rumored to have traveled to Ethiopia. Jude is recognized as having gone to Armenia. Peter traveled to Greece and some traditions hold that he traveled as far as Rome. Paul seems to have traveled throughout the Mediterranean, with letters written to communities he started in present-day Turkey, Greece, and Italy. There are some traditions that hold that he may have traveled as far as Spain. All of this because they had an experience of meeting Jesus in the flesh after his death. They were strengthened by their encounter with the resurrected Jesus.
Our letter today is attributed to the gospel writer we know as John, one of the original twelve apostles. For his part, tradition tells us that John spent the remainder of his ministry in the eastern Mediterranean. He appears to have been most revered in the western part of modern day Turkey, particularly in the region around Ephesus. Tradition also tells us that he was the only one of the Twelve to die of natural causes, living a long life in that region.
It is not difficult to see the commonalities between the writer of the letter we read from today and the gospel writer. In fact, the first verse of our reading today is nearly an analogue of John 3:16, a verse that so many of us know by heart. Our reading today seems to summarize that more famous verse: “This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us…” (1 John 3:16a, CEB).
Immediately following this verse, the letter writer makes it clear what this means in action. He takes it beyond the realm of the abstract. We touched briefly last week on what the message was that the disciples spread as they went on their many journeys and travels to other places. Here we get to see that message.
Our writer first suggests that just as Jesus laid down his life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for each other. This for him is what it means to love each other. But he helpfully goes on to show that this isn’t only about sacrificing out physical bodies to death. Perhaps that is the ultimate example we see in Jesus, but through the rest of this section, we see that this is not the only way we might interpret laying down our lives for each other. If we have the means and see someone in need but refuse to help them, then we are not showing love to them. The love of God is not in us.
John goes on to say, “let’s not love with words or speech but with actions and truth” (1 John 3:18, CEB). He makes it clear that love is about more than thoughts and words; love is active. Don’t just say the words, but put the words into action.
It reminds me of a song in one of my wife’s favorite musicals. Now, I didn’t really grow up with many musicals, at least not unless it was an animated Disney film. But my wife loves musicals. As far as she is concerned, life should be like a musical, with people just randomly breaking into song as they go about their everyday business.
One of her favorite musicals is My Fair Lady. Maybe some of you are familiar with the story. A renowned linguist makes a bet that he can train a poor, unrefined woman from the streets of London into a lady fit to circulate in high society and even appear before the Queen. Toward the end of the story, a high class young man who has become enamored with the young woman professes his love with flowery imagery. Her response is to essentially sing that words are meaningless. “Don't talk of stars/Burning above/If you're in love/Show me.” Eliza doesn’t want to hear the words; she wants action. Let your actions speak for you.
Perhaps some of you have heard the quote attributed to Saint Francis of Assissi: “Preach the gospel daily, and if necessary use words.” It is the same idea our reading today suggests. Our actions speak the truth more loudly than any words we might use.
Our reading continues with another reminder of the gospel writer by saying,” This is how we will know that we belong to the truth…” (1 John 3:19, CEB). This calls to mind Jesus’ new commandment for the disciples at the last supper. “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other” (John 13:35, CEB). Making the connection even more explicit, the letter continues by saying, “This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us” (1 John 3:23, CEB).
John wants us to remember that the heart of Jesus’ ministry is love. He also wants to make it clear that this isn’t simply some cerebral love. This is not merely a profession of love. It is love put into action. It is love that is kind and caring, love that is compassionate and involved in meeting the needs of others. For John, this is what love looks like.
For those of us living in a modern world where we might speak of loving pizza or loving a particular movie with the same language we might use for the love of a friend or family member, this can be particularly convicting. There are of course ways in which the feelings or emotions may have similarities. Our preferences for one type of thing over another may be similar to our preference of a particular person over another. On the other hand, french fries, no matter how much we might love them, will never be able to comprehend our feelings or have any other thoughts about us.
But the people in our lives and in the world around us can engage with us. And they will judge us on more than the words we use. If people are hurting, and we offer words of love without taking any action to ease their suffering, is that really love? If someone is in danger, and we offer them thoughts of well-being without doing anything to help them out of danger, have we shown them love?
In our modern world, the Church as a whole has gotten a certain reputation. Whether that reputation is deserved or not can be debated, but those who are not Christians base their understanding of the Church on the actions of those who are a part of it. When they see the Church saying that they promote love while at the same time acting in ways that show the opposite, what are people to believe?
It reminds me of a joke I saw on Facebook one time. The story goes that a police officer pulls a car over and asks to see the man’s license and registration. After confirming that the man is in fact the owner of the car, the police officer apologizes, saying, “I noticed the fish emblem and the John 3:16 bumper sticker on your car. Then I saw you cutting people off, shouting out your window at other drivers, and making obscene gestures. I just assumed the car must have been stolen.”
While the Church may have a certain reputation, this doesn't mean that the Church is all bad. Over and over I have seen members of many congregations put their words into action. I have seen members of the Church show love for their communities by supporting the most vulnerable. We, the Church in the world, have provided meals and gifts for those that might go without. We, the body of Christ, have offered physical and monetary support for our neighbors in need. We, believers, have shown our communities and our world that our love is more than words. I pray that no matter what the people who give the Church a bad reputation do, we will continue to be a living example of today’s text, that we can continue to be the loving presence of Jesus in our communities.