Exploring the Scripture
There is little consensus among scholars about who wrote the three letters of John, but they generally agree the letters were written in Ephesus, between 95–110 CE, mainly to Gentile believers. Most scholars also agree the writer of the Johannine epistles was not the author of the Gospel of John.
The major themes in this letter are the love of God and our relationship to God. The writer was likely prompted to pen the letter because of breaking in the community. Readers and listeners alike were cautioned not to “practice sin,” not to be deceived by false teachers. Theological divisions about the nature of Jesus were problematic and needed to be corrected.
The six verses assigned for this Sixth Sunday of Easter (Remember, we are still in the season of Easter!) declare the strong connection between belief in Jesus and love for the community members. They are inseparable. We love others based on our love for God. And, if we love God, we will keep God’s commandments and will love God’s children. Love births love.
The Message translation of verses 2–3 says this: “Do we love God? Do we keep [God’s] commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep [God’s] commandments, and they are not at all troublesome.” Our instruction, our mandate, is to believe in Jesus and love one another. That will help us live our lives amid the challenges of the “world” (vv. 4, 5). The commandments to love God and neighbor are a gift, not a burden. In the promised presence of the Holy Spirit, they’ll see us through.
Verses 5–6 seem to address conflicts in the church on beliefs about the nature of Jesus. (Remember the letter was written about 100 CE, generations after the life of Jesus and the first disciples.) Some focused on the divinity of Christ (symbolized by water). Others focused on the humanity of Jesus (referring to blood). The author calls the community to understand who Jesus is with a both-and approach rather than an either-or proposition.
One concern may have been the fear that if the humanity of Jesus is denied, other people’s humanity, including our own, is also easily denied. The debate continues two millennia later and will not be resolved in this generation or the next. As the Easter season’s conclusion is near, it is important to remember once again the meaning of both the crucifixion of Jesus and Christ’s resurrection.
Though the authors are decidedly different, the words of the letter resonate with these words from the Gospel: “But these things are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).
The nature of Jesus Christ is and will be an endless mystery. However, the preacher will be helped by reading the Community of Christ basic beliefs commentary on Jesus Christ. The congregation will be helped to hear the preacher share their journey with God in Christ Jesus.
Project Zion Podcast
Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- If we love God, we will love God’s children—our neighbors, our congregation, the stranger.
- If we believe in God, if we have faith in the Loving One revealed by Jesus, we will be able to live well amid the destructive and divisive ways encountered in the world and in our hearts and minds.
“We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; the Word made flesh, the Savior of the world, fully human and fully divine” (Chvala-Smith, Exploring Community of Christ Basic Beliefs: A Commentary: Volume 1, Herald Publishing House, 2020).
Questions to Consider
- How has your belief in a God of love translated into a love of God’s creation in general, and in the love of God’s children—humankind? What experience from your life can you share?
- How has your understanding of God’s commandments changed from “burden” to “blessing” as you matured in your life as a disciple?
- What stands out to you in the Basic Beliefs chapter on Jesus Christ with these six verses in mind?
- We change; we grow in our life as a disciple over the years. How have your heart, mind, and daily living changed through the decades as you attempted to understand who Jesus the Christ is, then tried to follow him?