Love

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:34-35

If I had to point to one passage of scripture that defines “Christ- Followers” it would have to be this one. To spend a little time alone with this scripture reveals some enormous implications.

“A New Commandment?”  So, this is more than a suggestion?
“Love one another?” Did Jesus mean everyone?
“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Didn’t Jesus die on a cross for us?

In order to grasp this New Commandment, we must get a handle on the word Love. In the original Greek, the gospel uses the word, Agape. This type of love is the perfect, unconditional, unselfish love that comes from God. This type of love is frankly impossible for us to manufacture from our own character. This kind of love comes to us from God by the power of the resurrection through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

All that to say this; we can’t fake this kind of love. People know God’s agape love in us when they see it. Just as Jesus said they would. So how do we follow this new command? We are a hard-working kind of people and our instincts tell us to immediately roll up our sleeves and do more to show love. I would suggest another way.

 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ Matthew 11:28-29

To carry out our New Commandment effectively, we aren’t told to pick up a responsibility as much as lay down our burden. Jesus promises us that his yoke is easy. Let Christ love you first. Agape will overflow from this relationship. And then we will joyously roll up our sleeves for the kingdom. And the world will know we are Christians by our love.

See you Sunday!
Missy