Description
Imagine a world where everything is made new. New chances to start over, new bodies made whole, creation renewed. New perspectives are seen, hope is made new, and we are all on God’s page – everything is under God’s renewing care and command.
On the 5th Sunday after Easter the Bible readings invite us to see a new vision for God’s people and for all Creation. The words of Psalm 148 inspire us to rejoice and praise God for the splendour of new life that God renews each day. The Revelation 21:1-6 vision of a new heaven and earth reveals God’s great love for humanity that wipes tears from eyes, and where death and pain will be no more. John 13:31-35 shows us again how God’s love through Christ calls, renews and enables us to love others.
Renewal doesn’t happen because it is a good idea, or to replace the old – that would be to discount all God did before. Renewal happens because everything is under God’s care and command (Psalm148), and it gives glory to God. The theme of ‘God being glorified’ is developed in the reading from John 13:31-35. “Now” says Jesus in verse 31, “Now, is the Son of Man glorified”, referring to the events which are about to take place. Similarly, as Jesus faces the prospect of suffering and death in Jerusalem, he declares in John 12:23, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’ Meaning that in this event God will be glorified because Jesus will be bringing his mission to completion.
The Macquarie dictionary shows ‘glory’ means “exalted praise, honour and distinction, a state of splendour or magnificence.” Such a definition satisfies our usual understanding of glory. However, Jesus is not pointing to the world’s standards – he is reshaping our ideas to a new way – that glorifying God means to set at the centre of life the supreme act of Jesus’ sacrificial love.
The new way of responding to the sacrificial love of Jesus, is now to be expressed in you and me and in all of Jesus disciples (John 13:34-35). As this love of Jesus is experienced through our words and actions…so God is glorified… not necessarily through great and splendiferous acts, but also through simple acts on a par with washing people’s feet; through acts of sacrificial love; through supporting, caring and loving others, and in their needs, suffering, grief and pain. All those things which we have already witnessed in Jesus’ ministry are now ours to do. “A new commandment I give you.” Jesus says “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:23)
