There was in-fighting, argument, leadership challenges, betrayal and pumped up claims of loyalty. Most people seemed to be playing to the crowd, and jockeying for position.
I am not talking about the Government, the BBC, or even the Church of England. I am describing the Last Supper that Jesus held with his friends.
And yet in that context, we read, 'This is my command: Love each other.' (John 15.17)
Justin Welby, the next Archbishop of Canterbury commented, when asked how he might address the divisions and arguments within the Church of England, and the world-wide Anglican Communion, that he didn't want Christians to agree with one another, "but to love one another and demonstrate to the world around us a better way of disagreeing." This is what Jesus has called us to do.
Or, as we heard yesterday, 'Jesus loves me' and 'Jesus loves you' needs to be applied as 'Jesus in me loves you'. Every person we meet today is loved by Jesus, and many do not know it. Every other follower of Jesus is loved by Jesus, as much as we are.
Today, we will all find situations where the love of Jesus needs to be applied - to people and problems. We have the opportunity to be practical, as we obey Jesus' New Commandment.
Best wishes,
Richard
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