Being branches of the love vine

We are still in Easter, a time to have our minds blown by, and have our imaginations run wild with, the possibilities of what the reign of God might look like. Hold that thought.

This morning’s readings from both John’s letter and John’s gospel are all about love. On Tuesday I was asked what is love, or where do we find love defined. How would you answer that?

For the gospel writers love is embodied by Jesus. Jesus teaches love, lives love, receives love, dies for love, and rises in love. It’s big! Mind blowingly big. And we are invited to let our imaginations run wild with the possibilities of that love. Mostly we want to define it and limit it and keep it manageable. The Spirit of God in Acts is having none of that, just like last week. Barriers are broken, all that separates is set aside, and new communities based on love are born.

John says God is love. Not loving. Love! Jesus abides in this love. He invites us to remain in this love, branches of the love vine. Jesus continues circling around this image. Jesus in John is not a linear Greek thinker. Each time around inviting his hearers ever deeper into the abundance and depth held in the image. Grace upon grace.
Mary washed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume at the meal in Bethany. Jesus receives this outrageous act. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet at their last gathering before his arrest. Washing the feet of the one who will betray, who will deny. “This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15: 12-14, CEB) This love will uphold and sustain his followers in their loss and grief. It creates a community that has been shown what love looks like, is empowered to love, and calls them outward to love God’s world. God’s love is outward. God’s passionate love is poured out with no hope of reward. It is unconditional