May 9, 2004

Mindekirken, May 9, 2004
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

John 13.31-35

How could it happen that American soldiers began to torture prisoners in Iraq? The Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad was feared for its torture chambers under Saddam Hussein. Now the pictures are shown all over of the American soldiers torturing Iraqi inmates in the same prison. We hear of sleep deprivation, the use of hoods on inmates, threats, leaving prisoners naked and applying pain-producing stress positions and sexual abuse. Are not the liberators better than the oppressors?

Muslims ask if this is how people from the Christian part of the world behave. We may understand the president’s anger about what has happened. He has condemned it clearly and claimed that the ones responsible will be brought to justice. That was after all not the case under Saddam Hussein. The war in Iraq was supposed to embrace democratic ideals and take away the reason for terrorism and hatred. That task has become more difficult after what happened.

There are different political opinions on the war in Iraq, but the Bible encourages us anyway to pray for the leaders of the world. We pray for justice, peace and reconciliation. And we have an obligation to take our own democratic responsibilities earnestly.

The war on Iraq was meant to promote ethical ideals like democracy and freedom. The pictures of torture stand in sharp contrast to that. One might think that the president would feel counteracted and betrayed. The pictures from the Abu Ghraib prison portray shame and dishonor.

Jesus preached high ethical values: Love one another! But he also was counteracted and betrayed. But in his case, Jesus doesn’t talk about the disclosure of the betrayer as shame and dishonor, but glory and honor. How could it possibly be so?

The scene is from the last supper. Jesus said plainly that Judas was going to betray him. Judas left the room and disappeared into the dark night. And that is where our text begins:

What did Jesus mean by that? I think Jesus experienced a victory there and then. Jesus could have held Judas back. He could have pleaded for him to not betray him, and he could have threatened him and forced him to be silent.

But Jesus let Judas go as he wanted. By that, Jesus showed that he was willing to take a new step on the way of suffering. He was obedient to a plan which was much bigger than the evil plan Judas thought of. The salvation of humankind was at risk. God was glorified by the way Jesus did not go astray from the way of suffering.

From a human point of view, the cross displays the evilness of man. But Jesus surrendered the evil with the good. He never gave up his love, and he even prayed for his enemies: Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing. Jesus suffered as the offering lamb of God. He reconciled the world with God. Therefore his death was not a defeat, but a triumph.

The Jews regarded someone who was crucified as cursed by God. In that respect Jesus died in our place, in order that we might be blessed. His humiliation was his exhortation. The suspense in the life of Jesus was if he would be able to empty the cup of suffering to the last drop. It barely held in Gethsemane.

He prayed to be released. But finally he put the will of God before his own. Therefore the cross is part of the glory. The victory was won there. The resurrection and ascension only confirm that the Son of God had finished the work he had come to the world to do. The glory is displayed in a love which never gave in to human evilness.

The torture chambers in Iraq have shown us that it is not always easy to separate between the good guys and the bad guys. I don’t intend to say that all political regimes are equally good. We must never give up the work to make the world a better place for as many people as possible. But the effort must be combined with self-criticism and humility where we also guard our own motives.

The cross is the ultimate answer to all terrorism, torture, war and whatever evil things humans may do. And the radical message of the Bible is that we’re all alike. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom3.22-23.

The cross of Christ shows us the way of reconciliation. But reconciliation is not a mutual agreement between two equal parts. The cross is not meant to be a means to make people change their minds. Salvation is not that God does his part and we ours, in order to make the world a paradise.

Reconciliation is one-sided. Salvation is Gods business alone. We have nothing to boast about. God uses the worst in humans to show his divine grace. While we were enemies, we were reconciled with God. Rom 5.10. Totally undeserved, we are forgiven for the sake of Jesus. By grace you have been saved through faith, Ephes 2.10. That’s the wonder of love in this world, that’s a grace which reaches also for terrorists and those who torture.

What about our love? Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another…Jesus said. Despite our faults, God uses us sinful people in a wonderful way in the service of life and love. It’s Mothers’ Day today. The love and care of a mother is a gift from God. This day gives us a nice opportunity to express our gratitude.

And what about other close relations; in marriage and family life, among friends and colleagues; isn’t the relationship with others what makes us feel rich in life? Maybe we don’t dare to express it in terms of love, but even so, good things happen in the fellowship. We meet encouragement by friendly words and recognition, we are respected and affirmed by others.

In today’s text Jesus says that everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. The one who has been met with unconditional love from Jesus, might reflect this mind to others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, Paul says in Phil 2.5. It must be our prayer that the love of Jesus must come forth in our lives by practical care and action.

The example Jesus gives us in today’s text goes far. There’s no limit to the friendliness, it’s about a love which even is willing to give one’s life for others. Paul writes: Love is patient; love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Cor 13.4-7

Glory be to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one true God, now and for ever. Amen.

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