We’re All In This Together Series

These are tough times. Many are quarantined at home. Many are struggling to get by. Many are unable to get to the store to buy need supplies. Many are hurting and unable to receive comfort because of social distancing. Many are scared and have diseases and other health issues. They wonder what will happen next. It is time like this we are called to care for one another. The sad thing is that we should have been doing all these things all along. Yes, we are all in this together. As the body of Christ, what affects one, should affect us all.

1 Corinthians 12:25–26 (NKJV) … that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Together we will get through this crisis. But those within the body are at an advantage over others, because we have each other to lean on. It is with this in mind Jesus says the following:

John 15:12–17

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: I read about a woman who telephoned a friend and asked how she was feeling,

"Terrible," came the reply over the phone, "my head’s splitting and my back and legs are killing me. The house is a mess, and the kids are simply driving me crazy."

Very sympathetically the caller said, "Listen, go and lie down, I’ll come over right away and cook lunch for you, clean up the house, and take care of the children while you get some rest. By the way, how is your husband Sam?"

"Sam?" the complaining housewife grasped. "My husband’s name isn’t Sam."

"Oh dear," exclaimed the first woman, "I must have dialed the wrong number."

There was a long pause. "Does that mean you’re not coming over?"

That housewife had hoped she’d found a friend. Someone who would be there in her need. Friendship is a powerful thing.[1]

We needs friends, we need to watch out for one another. These are difficult days for many. Some cannot get out and needed supplies, many are out of work and can’t pay rent. We need to watch out for those who need our assistance, especially those of the household of faith. Paul said as much:

Galatians 6:10 (NKJV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

In John 13, two chapter earlier than our focal reading, still part of the same discourse Jesus had with His disciples on the night before He was crucified, Jesus tells his disciples:

John 13:34–35 (NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Several things we can glean from this: One, it’s a command directly from Jesus to His people to love one another, and two, it is the means by which the world will tell whether or not we are really Jesus’ disciples. Churches that fuss and fight are not a good witness to Jesus. These churches are only disciples of Jesus in name only. Churches that show love for one another, show the world that they are Jesus’ disciples. This is nothing new. We have always said this.

But let’s look closer at this directive to love one another. It was a very important command. Important enough that Jesus repeats the command three times. In John 13:13 and again in John 15:12 and again in verse 17. Anything said three time times we need to straighten up and pay attention.

John 15:12 (NKJV) This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

The simple command is to love one another. Love is choice. It is not necessarily something you feel. To feel lovey-dovey is nice but feelings are not love. Love, and in the Greek the word used is the verb form of the noun “agapé ”. It is a self-sacrificing love; a love that expects nothing back in return; a godly type of love. It is with agape that we are to love one another.

Remember that Jesus is talking to His disciples, on how they are to treat and care for one another. He not talking about how they treat for and care for the rest of the world. Not that we are not to care for those in the world, we reach them with love and caring to be a witness, for the purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus (the Gospel) with them.

Our focus this morning is each other with in the fellowship of the Body of Christ, the church. For if we don’t first demonstrate care and true agape love for those within the household of faith, how are we expected to show this same love to those caught up in the world?