“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom Jesus loved standing beside her, he said to his mother: “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple: “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.”

There is a story told of a social worker visiting a child-care center for children in pre-school. She came upon a four-year-old, sitting by himself in a big room. The following conversation took place: “My name is Johnny, and I am all alone in this big room.” The social worker replied: “Are you lonely? I am sure someone will come along soon to be with you.” Johnny looked at her and said: “Why not you?” (Copied)

I have been reminded this Holy Week of how the gospels on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday provide the context in which the Easter story is told.

The New Commandment Jesus gave the disciples was illustrated by his humbling of himself, taking the role of a servant, and washing their feet. Some have likened Jesus’ leaving the table that night to leaving the heavenly banquet, coming to earth as a servant, then dressing again and returning to the table, the heavenly banquet. He challenged the disciples by example as well as words to fulfill their mission. In that endeavor, they were to be a new community, bonded as one in Him.

Again he humbled himself as he walked willingly to his cross and death. From the cross, as Margaret Guenther reminded us yesterday, he gave his mother and his disciple, John, to one another, forming a new family, a new community.

His final gift was his rising again…not to remain with his disciples but to assure them that what they had heard and seen was from God. In that final gift he bonded them into a new community…a community that understood that it had a charge to tell the story of Jesus, the Christ.

This morning we hear that story, the story of what happened two thousand and more years ago. However, it does not rest there! If it did it would be nothing but an interesting tale. As Christians we believe and know that Christ is alive today, that Christ is present in the ongoing community formed so long ago. We know it not by resurrection appearances of Jesus in 2009, but by the humility and servant-hood of those who follow him. The message of the resurrection to each of us this morning is, as Johnny said, “Why not you?”

In many ways Mary is a prototype of the ideal Christian. She was healed by Jesus and became a loyal follower. She, of all the disciples, was the most wounded. All the Gospels put her at the foot of the cross and at the tomb. She stayed at the latter, alone and grieving, until Jesus appeared and sent her back to the community. She has been called, for that reason, the “Apostle to the Apostles.”

As Christians we are called to roll away the stones that block us from reaching out to others…whether they are stones of insecurity, fear, or exaggerated self-importance. We go to the tomb with all of our wounds to find new life. We are to be reminded this day that death is both the end and the beginning for all of us. When we die we shall give up all our things, our power, and everything the world calls us to value. The only thing we shall have remaining is love, both the love we have poured out for others and the love that has been poured out for us.

Our first challenge is to heal that which is broken in our lives…to reconcile with those from whom we are estranged, to re-establish our relationship with God in prayer and service, and to embrace the reality that we can begin again. With that new reality we can open our eyes to the needs around us, to see with startling clarity that which we have overlooked or ignored in the past.

We are then challenged to act, not just to be aware of the pain of others. We may need the voice of a child like Johnny to ask us: “Why not you?” Joyce Landorf, in her book, Unworld People, gives us a prime example.

“At a local edition of the Special Olympics the children were lined up for the two-twenty yard dash. Their coaches were giving them last minute instructions. The starting line was marked by no small amount of confusion. Meanwhile, the parents and fans in the stands were adding to the chaos with waves of cheers and words of encouragement. Nonetheless, when the gun sounded, all of the children did manage to hear it, and it was a good start. Almost immediately, the runners left their assigned lanes clustering in a bundle of arms, legs and effort running down the track. Then, one of the children toward the back of the pack, tripped, stumbled and fell, skidding through the cinders. It was an ugly and painful scene. The crowd gasped and the other runners went on…for maybe about ten yards, before one of those in the rear noticed what had happened. Awkwardly, with a look of confusion, he stopped and when back to help his fallen fellow runner. Soon another did the same, then another, until all of the racers were clustered around their crying friend, dusting the dirt from his shirt, patting him on the back, smothering him with hugs of affirmation. Nobody ever finished the race!” (A little child shall lead them.)

This is how the worldwide church was born! This is the meaning of the New Commandment Christ gave the disciples and gives to us. There is a story that goes like this: “After Jesus returned to heaven he and the Archangel Gabriel were talking. Even in heaven Jesus bore the marks of the crucifixion. Gabriel said, ‘Master, you must have suffered horribly! Do people know and appreciate how you love them and what you expect them to do?’ Jesus replied, “Oh, no, not yet. Right now only a few people in Palestine know.” Gabriel was perplexed; “Then what have you done to let everyone know about your love?” Jesus answered, “I have asked Peter, Andrew, James, John, Mary and a few other friends to tell others about me. Those who are told will tell others and yet others still others until the last man and the last woman in the farthest corner of the earth will have heard the story of how I gave my life for them because I love them so much. They will love each other and care for each other so that no one is in need.” Gabriel frowned and looked skeptical. “Yes, but what if Peter and the others grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? Have you made other plans? Jesus said, “Gabriel, I have made no other plans. I am counting on them.”

Jesus is counting on each of us this day to be his hands, eyes, ears, voices and hearts in our broken world. The question we must answer is: “Why not you?”

Have a blessed Easter! AMEN