7th Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
In chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, Jesus has finished his last words for the disciples after the example of the foot washing and the command to love one another as he has loved them (chapter 13). He knows he will be arrested soon (chapter 18) and prays hard for those who will witness the world’s hatred (John 15:18 – 16:4) with their own eyes. Yet, they will be commissioned to bear the gospel of love, forgiveness, and hope to the world after he ascends.
The evangelist wants us to know that Jesus has granted life eternal to those who abide in his love and remain in a relationship with him (15:4, 9). Otherwise, how would they get to know him and, therefore, God (17:3)? He also wants us to know this prayer is not on behalf of the world – or the powers that oppose the gospel – but those chosen to bear the love of Jesus (verse 9). This includes us, disciples of all times and places, who have come to believe through the proclamation of his word (20-21).
“Whoever has the Son has life,” says the author of 1 John (5:12a), and “God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them (1 John 4:15-16).” The Son equals life, and the Son equals God. God is love. Therefore, love is life!
The psalmist proclaims:
“Their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.”
(Psalm 1:2–3; NRSVue)
Come worship with us!
Pastor Mauricio
Bridging Faith 