The Wow Factor!

For those unfamiliar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings before the message. Today’s readings were: Acts:11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21: 1-6 and John 13:31-35.

I am sure that most of us have seen dominoes set up by the thousands or ...... even tens of thousands.

And after they are arranged ..... someone tips over the first one .... which sends them tumbling one by one.

A lot of planning goes into ..... something like that.

The event must be designed, ... mapped out ...... and then .... set up.

It takes hours, .... days, .... even months.

When the dominoes start falling, .....we witness a chain reaction .....which leads to .....a glorious finish. (Pause)

Now Glory ....is one of those words we hear quite often .... that is never clearly defined.

It is a word that contains much emotion and much wonderment.

It is often used when we experience something that has a .... (Slow) Wow factor.

Such as, .... "Oh what a glorious view!" ......or "That performance was glorious!" or Honey you look glorious. (Pause)

Jesus uses the word glory ....five times in our Gospel passage today.

As we reflect on the Gospel, we need to ask: What is the Wow factor ......that Jesus is talking about?

What is the glory ...... that Jesus is speaking about? (Pause)

Judas left the room. His decision to betray Jesus is now final.

The events which lead toward the crucifixion of Jesus ....were set in motion.

The events were now "Falling" into place.

The dominoes are tumbling.

Tumbling toward the climax of the Cross.

As Michael Card, the great contemporary artist sings, "The climax of the cross, ...... the moment our hope was born." (Pause)

The cross certainly had a Wow factor, ....but not in a conventional way. (Pause)

According to John’s testimony, Jesus final words from the cross were, .... (Slow) "It is finished."

The dominoes have fallen .... and the glory of God in Jesus .... is displayed on the cross.

That is the glory Jesus was speaking of .....that astonishing night.

It was also on this night that Jesus reclined with the Twelve ..... to eat the feast of the Passover.

They all would have looked to Jesus ..... to fulfill the fatherly role ...... in the Passover ceremony.

To answer the questions concerning the importance of the Passover meal. But on this night the disciples role ..... is unique.

They witness Jesus answers ... which will bring out a new meaning ....to this night.

A meaning that centers on Jesus suffering. His Suffering is also...... part of the Glory... Part of the Wow factor. (Pause)

So.......Why does Jesus state: "Where I am going you cannot come?"

Where is Jesus going that the leaders of the Jews and his disciples .... cannot go?

Peter later in the Scriptures ...asked him that very same question, "Lord, where are you going?"

The disciples cannot go because, .... Jesus is going to the cross ....and then ...... to the Father. (Pause)

(Slow) It is the Wow factor in Jesus relationship with his disciples .....that I want to focus on .... today.

Our Lord gives a new commandment ..... a commandment that is based on the disciples’ relationship to him and to one another.

He said, BIBLE "I give you a new commandment: that you Love one another. ....... Just as I have loved you, you also should love one other." END

Now...This standard is not something that was completely new to them.

His disciples would be familiar with this law of love as it is given in the Law of Moses

Leviticus 19:18 States this command, BIBLE "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." END

But Jesus... this night.... takes it to a personal level... a higher level He says: "Love one another," ...., "as I have loved you."

The Wow Factor!

If Christians love each other the way Jesus showed his love to the world, .....then it will be unmistakable!

It will be a love that the world will stand in amazement to see.

That the world cannot comprehend.

Jesus did not simply say, "Love one another."

Jesus was very specific about the kind of love his disciples must share.

He said (Slow) "Just as I have loved you."

And His love is unconditional, Jesus love is limitless. Jesus love requires Self Sacrifice!

The unmistakable Wow factor of this love ...is portrayed in the cross!

Jesus suffered and died for the greater joy.. for the greater love... rescuing the lost from ...sin and death.

Jesus sacrificed himself ........(Slow) out of His love for us, Now that truly is truly glorious.

That love is the foundation of Jesus words to Nicodemus. BIBLE "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." END John 3:16