Object Lesson for May 13, 2012 — A New Commandment
Sunday’s texts are all about love. The gospel is John 15:9-17 and is the focus of much of John’s life teachings—The New Commandment.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (v.15)
It is Jesus’ last but abiding message to the world before returning to heaven.
Such a simple commandment, but so easy for us to forget as we tend to live our lives in a world measured by justice, not love.
Try acting out this scenario.
Tell a few members in advance that they will be taking part in a play. But don’t tell them too much. Make sure they are members with a sense of humor and make them realize that they will be role-playing.
Create a mock court. You might want to put on a black robe or hold a gavel in you hand to indicate that you are changing roles. Use the pulpit as a judge’s bench or stand on the chancel steps, indicating that you are “in charge.”
Have someone declare “Order in the court” and “All rise” as you make your entrance in your new persona.
Introduce yourself as “judge” or add to the unreality with a more gloried made-up title.
Call your pre-selected members forward one by one. Charge them with an infraction. Make something up: nodding off during the sermon, singing off key, arriving late or skipping out before the offering. Nothing serious. Keep it light.
As each one is charged ask him or her to stand aside to await sentencing.
After all your “perpetrators” are properly charged, pose a question to the congregation. Ask them for sentencing ideas. You can do this for each one or generally, depending on how much time you want to devote.
In the end, call all the offenders back and give each one the same sentence: To love one another. You can do this one by one with an elaborate build up ending with “Love one another.” Use your imagination.
Hit the pulpit with your gavel. Send everyone back to his or her seat.
End the mock court signaling your court crier to call “All rise” and declaring the session to be over.
Get rid of the gavel and black robe, return to your role as preacher and elaborate a bit on the message of the day.