Holy Week 2013: The One Sign

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Steve Harper

Maundy Thursday
John 13:1-17; 31b-35

How many times will we have to read this passage before we get it?

There is only one sign to the world that Christianity is real—Christians love each other.

Whenever we play “one upsmanship” in any form—whenever we belittle another Christian—whenever we refuse to wash one another’s feet, the world says, “Well, there’s nothing to it” We go to the world with a message, and the world responds, “No thanks! You have already delivered your message.”

The darkness of Maundy Thursday is the darkness of our failure to love one another—a complete contradiction of Jesus’ example and his sacrifice—a total contradiction of the very passage we use to begin a verbal witness (John 3:16).

We turn the lights off during Maundy Thursday services, but the lights are never really on in a church where there is no love.

About Steve Harper

Dr. Steve Harper is retired seminary professor, who taught for 32 years in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies. Author and co-author of 45 books. He is also a retired Elder in The Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
This entry was posted in Holy Week 2013. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Holy Week 2013: The One Sign

  1. patricia coombs says:
    March 28, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    What a beautiful reminder to keep our inner lights shining. Sometimes we feel like we are always protecting that flame from opposing winds trying to snuff it out. Keep your back to the wind and let your light glow. ❤

  2. Robyn Banegas says:
    March 28, 2013 at 11:32 am

    Great message! Thanks Steve!

Comments are closed.