In the interim, Jim and I seek to be among you as the Old Testament leaders; that is accepting, guiding and preparing for a future of which we will not be a part.

The text for this morning is remarkably applicable for where many of us are in our thoughts during this increasing time of transition. The more I read it and the more I thought about Northwood as it faces its future, the more I felt that an appropriate idea for our thoughts is summed up in the letters W.W.J.D. -- What Would Jesus Do?

Far from being a catchy anachronism, this simple formula that is often seen on phone receivers or coffee cups is really a very profound question that we need to take very seriously.

The words that John has Jesus saying all are delivered around the table as they break bread and Jesus prepares his disciples for the time he will not be with them, at least in this form. That strikes me as very appropriate. A great many of the decisions that are made in our lives are done around a table as a meal is eaten.

Often during a meal and the ensuing conversation, friendships are made or amended; problems are faced and in many instances solved and countless business decisions and deals are consummated at dining tables.

These table chats are the largest accumulation of words containing Jesus' thoughts and instruction to his disciples in any of John's work. There is a great amount of talk about love and how true love is demonstrated.

In today's words Jesus says very bluntly, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments". For John, obedience is the test for love. In essence, Jesus orders his followers to love…orders us! How can that be? Is not love an emotion? Is it not something that can be given and taken back? Is it not an action that demands a response? How can we be ordered to love? Jesus orders us to love by keeping his commandments; and what are they -- namely two: "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "you shall love your neighbour as yourself."

W.W.J.D. -- that is what Jesus did? It would have been much easier for people to handle if Jesus loved only those who loved him. He went much further; he loved even those who were putting him to death. What was the secret to his amazing strength? It was his unflinching obedience to God.

Jesus wants to challenge the disciples and us to practice that type of living but knowing our nature he adds, if you do that, I will ask the Father and he will give you and me another helper, an advocate to be with us.

Jesus does not leave us alone to struggle with the Christian life in a hostile world alone. He will send a helper, the Greek word is "paraklete", someone who is called in to help. What Jesus is saying is, I am sending you to a hard task. I am sending you on a difficult assignment but I am sending you with someone who will help you, a paraklete, a spirit, a Holy Spirit, if you will, who will enable you to do this task.

That's what our creed is trying to say -- "we are not alone, we live in God's world." When we obey the spirit is with is helping urging, begging us to be obedient. He adds the world doesn't understand this because they cannot see or experience the spirit that comes through the act of obedience. The Spirit of God is not one who crashes in, the Spirit waits to be invited and those who wait upon the Spirit shall renew their wings, "they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not weary, they shall walk and not faint."



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