FHBC Sermon Notes

To be glorified on a cross. You cannot follow.

So how can the disciples carry on? How can we carry on? Jesus gives a new command to sustain us. That command is that we love one another. And this love will be the preeminent witness to the world that Christ is who he says he is and we are is disciples and brethren.

Is this a new command? After all, Jesus has already affirmed the commandment that we are to love neighbor as ourselves as seen in Leviticus 19. How do we know that we love one another? There is a new standard here, that is what new. Christ sacrificial service, even in giving his own life, this is the love we are to show to one another.

This is not a feel good emotional love. It is a love that acts in the face of hurt and harm, that perseveres through the trials of suffering and sickness, darkness and death. It is a love that conquers and overcomes all the world throws at us so that all will see this love that brings us back to life. This is the love that Christ commands, that our Lord gives.

Why can't I follow you? This is the question that Peter asks. The simple answer is that we are not Jesus. We do not have the love that can conquer death. Peter's life cannot be used to offer atonement. He, like ourselves is in desperate need of a savior. Sometimes we like to say, be Jesus to other people, but this is why we cannot. Yet we will lay down our lives for Jesus, we can follow, but not as Jesus, but because of Jesus.

Praise God for a savior so worthy, a savior so loving.

Amen.