This is a strange time for Jesus to be talking about love.  It is the night before He died the cruel cross surrounded by jeering people.  There is not much love filling this night.  The disciples have been arguing about who is the greatest.  The temple guards are getting their swords, spears and clubs to come and arrest Him.  The High priest and the temple leaders are designing the plan to Kill Him.  Judas is selling him for 30 pieces among the desert cactuses.  Like a flower blooming on the edge of a volcano.  We wonder how can love survive in such a hostile environment, among such selfishness, hostility, hatred and treachery.

        The world today is no more welcoming a place for love.  It may be easy to sit in the church and talk and sing of love, but when you go out there and try to do it, the opposition rises.

        One person told how she took her kids to the pro-life rally at the state house one January.  They marched down the street and back. As they stood at the stoplight one child by the had, another in a stroller and several walking along a man in a car leaned out the window and began to berate them with foul and abusive language.  So love meets a hostile environment.

        Love is, perhaps easy to talk about, but eventually it comes to doing love.  It can be costly.  At home, at work, in times recreation.  There are those who will mock and sneer.  You are as likely to be taken advantage of, you shouldn't think that results will be apparent, or to be deeply appreciated.

        But we will be supported in our loving efforts.  Jesus speaks of it here.  He is the conduit for God's love.  He is the vine that God uses to send His love from out of this world into our hearts.  Jesus brings God's special love called grace.  Not based on what we can do for Him, or how we make Him feel good about Himself, It is love that comes to the undeserving.

        Jesus calls us His friends.   A friend will help in time of need.  Struggling to get a roof on before winter.  Hard because he broke his ankle, up and down the ladder, sitting on he roof.  It was going to take him forever.  Saturday morning three friends showed up at his door.  They would have it done before evening.  "I can't believe you're doing this."

        "What are friends for."

        So Jesus saw our need.  "I can't believe you are doing this for me."

        "You are my friends, " He says.

        He has chosen us.  We didn't choose Him.  He chose us.  For His sake the Father is supplying us with all good things.  With Jesus our friend we can love, others and one another.

        David Robert Ray was stationed in Vietnam during March 1969 when the position came under heavy mortar and rocket attack.  Ground forces broke through the barbed wire perimeter and caused many casualties.  David "Doc" Ray a hospital corpsman moved from place to place providing emergency medical treatment to the wounded.  While doing this he was himself wounded, but refused medical treatment for himself and continued his life-saving efforts.  While he was bandaging and trying to comfort one soldier he was forced to battle two enemy soldiers who attacked.  He killed one and incapacitated the other.  Losing blood and life he continued to move through enemy fire to help others.  He treated others and held off the enemy till he ran out of ammunition.  Then he was killed.  His final act of heroism was to save a comrade whose wounds he was treating.  When a enemy grenade landed nearby he threw himself upon the wounded comrade thus saving his life.  His heroism inspired the other men to heroic efforts in defeating the enemy.  Phu Loc March 19, 1969

        Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us.  He has defeated our enemies--sin, death and the devil.  Arisen from the dead, He lives among us today and is glad to have us as his friends and comrades.

        Today, He says to us what He said to His disciples: love one another.  Love one another as I have loved you.

        The world is just as hostile to love as it ever was.  Jesus is as loving as He ever was.  He empowers us for love.  Being close to Him that love rubs off on us.  In word we hear of Him.  In bread and wine He comes to us.  Don't go away.  Remain in His love that you might love others.
 

Church Secretary wrote:

     "Some weeks ago, on Memorial Day weekend, I preached the attached sermon.  As you can see, I used David Robert Ray's Medal of Honor citation as an illustration of Jesus' love for us.

     "The sermon as preached is never exactly as written.  I hope it brought some inspiration to the hearers.  I hope it is some comfort to you to know God is using "Doc" Ray to bless others.

     Peace be with you.
     Pastor Thomas M. Fields
     University Hills Lutheran Church, Denver, CO

    Sincerely,
    Roberta Christensen
 

Name: May 28 2000 Sermon.wpd
May 28 2000 Sermon.wpd    Type: WordPerfect Document

Used with permission.
 
 

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