Love's Command

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: John 13:31-35 (MESSAGE)

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!

 “Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’ Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

In the entirety of John’s Gospel, this is the only time Jesus gives believers a command and it is so Jesus.  We are commanded to love one another the way that Christ loves us. 

Given the events of the last week in Boston, I wonder what that kind of love looks like in our lives.  Can we love on command?  Can we love people who intentionally seek to harm, kill and destroy?  Can we love people we don’t understand who may be from different religious traditions or cultures?  Can we love those we do not know? 

If we truly follow Christ’s example, then the love we are called to will take us far beyond on our comfort and our experience.  This kind of love demands that we not only love our neighbors but seek to understand who they are and what they need.  This kind of love commands an unconditional and limitless response for those we are not yet ready or willing to love. This kind of love demands that we seek the other’s welfare.  This kind of love commands that we love our betrayers, our deniers, our crucifiers or our friends, our family, our neighbors … the whole world really.  This is a commanding love. 

Please join us this Sunday, April 28 at 10:00am in Christ Church for the fifth Sunday of Easter as we begin to identify and live into Love’s Command.