PostScript: Glory and Love
The glorified Jesus gives his disciples the instruction to love (John 13.34).
Introduction
Jesus says that he has been glorified, but what does glory mean – and in particular, what does it mean today? He goes on to give the commandment to love. Christ is glorified through the loving of his disciples, and that is the challenge for Christians today. There are great contrasts between the glorification of celebrities and famous people from the past – such as William Shakespeare – and the glorification of Jesus. Recent natural disasters provide an opportunity to reflect on hope, and how that can be offered to those who have lost everything. They also provide an opportunity to glorify Christ through acts of love.
Context
23 April is celebrated as the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. There are many quotations from his works which may be used in reflections and sermons; his plays offer examples of love and glory; and the manner in which the anniversary is being marked this year may enable a contrast between the way in which Shakespeare is glorified and the way Jesus is glorified.
The earthquake in Ecuador earlier this week has devastated a region. Similarly, the floods in Texas have brought death and destruction. How can love be shown to those who have suffered? And what can we say of God in this context? Revelation 21.1-6 speaks of the ‘new Jerusalem’, and this hope can inspire those who are suffering.
Reflection
There have been plays, play readings and television programmes. The World Shakespeare Congress, beginning in July, will bring together a thousand Shakespearean specialists, researchers and academics. Plans for the congress were presented at Shakespeare's Globe, one of the venues, in an event co-hosted with groups including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the University of Birmingham, King's College London and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Shakespeare’s grave has been scanned. In this way his memory is marked and, in a sense, he is glorified. This provides a remarkable contrast to Jesus, who is glorified by acts of love such as donations to appeals for relief for the victims of earthquakes and floods.
As a result of the radar scanning of Shakespeare’s grave (undertaken as part of the Shakespeare 400 celebrations), it has been alleged that his skull is not in the grave. What are his devotees to make of a partially empty tomb? But, then, what about the resurrection? Jesus is glorified through the constant remembrance of his empty tomb, and because of what we make of that, the new Jerusalem of Revelation 21 becomes a confident hope!
In Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena says, ‘Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind’. The commandment to love implies that love is not simply something that happens to us but that it can be an act of will. Jesus tells us to set our minds on loving one another.
Romeo and Juliet is a love story that ends in tragedy. The story of Jesus is a story whose penultimate act (his death) can be seen as tragedy. But the Easter season enables us to view the crucifixion in a different way, and to see Jesus as glorified by his supreme act of love. The love of Romeo and Juliet ends in death. The love of Jesus concludes in life – life which is illustrated in Revelation 21.1-6.
Prayer
If possible use two voices; the first voice should read the verses of the Psalm and the second the prayer which follows.
Read Psalm 148.1-4
Let us pray for those who have lost homes and loved ones
in the earthquake in Ecuador.
May the hope of the world to come,
enable them to praise God.
Read Psalm 148.5-6
Grant wisdom to the leaders of the nations
and integrity to those leading the European referendum campaigns.
Read Psalm 148.7-12
Be with the people of Texas
as they seek to rebuild their lives after the floods.
Read Psalm 148.13-14
Help us to love one another as we are loved,
and through our love may Christ be glorified,
now and always.
Amen.
Questions
- What are the best ways to celebrate and commemorate special people and anniversaries? Consider the celebrations for the Queen’s 90th birthday and the Shakespeare 400 events, and then reflect on these in the light of John 13.31.
- In Revelation 21.1-6, John depicts the hope of the new Jerusalem. In the light of the resurrection what are your hopes for the world?
Action
At sunrise and sunset the sky is often lit up as if the heavens are glorified. Over the coming week try to be present, outside and observing, at one of these times – and pray the words of Psalm 148.
Young people
- How is love portrayed in the media and in music?
- Which actions and relationships best illustrate the phrase ‘love one another’?
- In what ways can you glorify God?
- Write a mnemonic for the phrase LOVE GLORIFIES.
Stuart Wild is the superintendent minister of the Manchester Methodist circuit.
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