As He Has Done
As we examine our relationships during Lent, we are called to show love and forgiveness to those who are hard to get along with, just as our Lord showed us.
Mary Wilder Tileston, in the sermon, reflects on the example set by Jesus in serving others, even those who may be difficult to love or understand. She challenges the listeners to examine their relationships and interactions, urging them to show compassion, forgiveness, and love towards both friends and foes. Tileston emphasizes the importance of self-reflection during Lent, encouraging individuals to emulate Christ's humility and grace in dealing with those who may be challenging or irritating. The sermon calls for a shift from judgmental attitudes to a spirit of prayerful self-improvement and understanding of the vast difference between human nature and the divine.
Text
I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
JOHN 13:15
THERE are often bound to us, in the closest intimacy of social or family ties, natures hard and ungenial, with whom sympathy is impossible, and whose daily presence necessitates a constant conflict with an adverse influence. There are, too, enemies,--open or secret,--whose enmity we may feel yet cannot define. Our Lord, going before us in this hard way, showed us how we should walk. It will be appropriate to the solemn self-examination of the period of Lent to ask ourselves, Is there any false friend or covert enemy whom we must learn to tolerate, to forbear with, to pity and forgive? Can we in silent offices of love wash their feet as our Master washed the feet of Judas? And, if we have no real enemies, are there any bound to us in the relations of life whose habits and ways are annoying and distasteful to us? Can we bear with them in love? Can we avoid harsh judgments, and harsh speech, and the making known to others our annoyance? The examination will probably teach us to feel the infinite distance between us and our divine Ideal, and change censoriousness of others into prayer for ourselves.
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE
Sermon Outline
- The Example of Our Lord
- Examining our relationships
- The Ideal of Christ
- The distance between us and God's ideal
- Changing judgment to prayer
- The need for love and forgiveness
Key Quotes
“Can we in silent offices of love wash their feet as our Master washed the feet of Judas?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“The examination will probably teach us to feel the infinite distance between us and our divine Ideal,” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We should strive to show love and forgiveness to those who are difficult to get along with, even if it's hard.
- We should examine our relationships and identify areas where we need to practice more love and forbearance.
- We should change our judgment of others to prayer for ourselves, recognizing our own flaws and weaknesses.