Easter 6A - Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

In the synoptic gospels1 Jesus had a last Passover meal with the disciples. Bread and wine. A few words we probably know by heart. Body and blood. In John’s gospel, there was no bread and wine – just a foot washing and a few other words — “love one another as I have loved you” — followed by the “Farewell Discourse2” from which the gospel readings for the last three weeks of Easter are taken.

The message and memories of bread and wine and the foot washing were powerful, simple and clear. What more could there be to say?

In John’s gospel, thankfully, Jesus said more. In the Farewell Discourse, he spoke to console, assure, affirm and encourage his friends and disciples.

The Farewell Discourse was a bit of a love song.

Like a love song, it repeated itself a lot. And it had a refrain. One we might have expected after the bread and wine and the footwashing: “I will be with you” and “love one another as I have loved you.”

The Farewell Discourse can be parsed and analyzed. That’s a good thing. There is always something new to be found in Jesus’ words. . . who we are when we read or hear them is always changing and growing. But don’t miss the thing that does not change: the love song — consoling, assuring, affirming and encouraging. And meant for us.

Love songs come in many different shapes and sounds and sizes. Whatever the shape or sound, when they reach us they can be transformative. In the Schitt’s Creek video (click here to watch) enjoy watching David’s face and his mother’s as they hear a love song. (The link will open in YouTube and there may be an ad. Sorry. Tap the screen until you see “skip” in the lower right hand corner of the video and “skip” it!)

Easter peace.

Matthew, Mark and Luke.

John 14-17. John likely omitted the “Institution Narrative” not because he thought it didn’t happen, but in order to focus on the footwashing. Scholarly opinion is coming back around to believing that the author of John’s gospel knew the synoptics well and wrote not to contradict them, but to add depth, commentary and insight. Jo-Ann A. Brant. John (Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament). (Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI. Ebook edition 2012.) Kindle edition at 9-11 and 208-211.

My SIL ♥️ is flying in this week in part to help me get the house ready to be listed. Heavy-lifting for me. Not for her! There won’t be a post next Friday for Easter 7. Sermon Starts will be back on Friday, 5/22 for Pentecost. Thanks for reading. You’re the best.

Sermon Starts

Easter Love Song