Sermon: Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B
“I shall not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends”
Jesus as the typical Rabbi – gathering a group of followers, teaching them an interpretation of the Torah unlike anything experienced before
Placing on them the “yolk” of teaching – “My burden is easy, my yoke is light” (Matthew 11:30)
But the relationship was changing – as Christ came to earth to show us a new relationship between God and Mankind, so Christ’s relationship between his students/disciples was changing – no longer authoritarian, but as friends.
The heart of this relationship is love.
Jesus speaks of the hired shepherd, who runs away. The good shepherd remains and protects – why (it can’t be money, it must be love)
Jesus speaks on the cross of love, of forgiveness
The new relationship – the new testament/covenant is based on love. No longer is God a mighty smiter, a punishing parent.
Now he is a friend, a brother, a lover (as the Song of Songs would powerfully have it).
Just as we saw last week with the young people’s demonstration – God’s love is to be shared around.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the work of Christian Aid.
[I would like to ask DL up to tell us a little about this love in action
Amen