Tuesday 29 December 2015

Psalm: Psalm 117

Background

John's letter is very densely written, but only really has onetheme - consistency. That consistency, in our hearts, is fullyexpressed in love, a consistent emotion. John tells us that we cometo know Christ if we keep his commands (verse 3). Both 'knowing'and 'keeping' are aspects of loving - "If you love me, you willkeep my commandments" (John14:15). Thus we are given a choice between lying and livingtruly (verses 4-5) and in obeying love is made complete. Thebeliever is aiming for completeness, arguably an idea which spansmany, if not all, religions.

John introduces his "new command" by first of all saying that heis not giving a new command but an old one instead; the old commandis the message they have already heard. The new command which Jesusoriginally gave, back in John's Gospel, was that his followers loveone another (John 13:34). So John seems to be saying thatJesus' new command is now old. Confusingly, he doesn't then tell uswhat the new command is. It may be a new way of describing Jesus'message, a new emphasis on darkness and light (another feature ofthis letter, see verse 8), an injunction to stay in the light(verses 9-10) or perhaps he distracted himself with his caveats somuch that he never returned to unpacking this new command.

Another possibility is that the new command is 'do not hate yourbrother, or sister' (v. 11; 1 John3.15; 4.20). One of the key messages, and purpose, of John'sletter is to give guidance for building a community of love.Today's reading leaves us with a choice between love or blindnessin the dark.

To Ponder

• How would you describe your faith? As 'old' or 'new'? Why?

• What would this passage look like if you were rewriting it orsharing your own reflections on love?