“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” John 13:34-35 NIV
“All you need is love.” So goes an old song by the Beatles. Although it may not have been their intention, they were reflecting Jesus’ commandment in John, as well as his summation of God’s command found in Deuteronomy 6:4 and Leviticus 19:18.“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”” Mark 12:29-31 NIV
So, if love is the essential characteristic of our faith, why are we so polarized, divided and why do we often fail to love one another as commanded by our Lord and savior? Love is an easy word to banter about, yet without understanding Jesus’ example of sacrificial love it can become secondary to a person’s own beliefs and opinions.
Perhaps we need to re-examine what Jesus means by love. This Sunday I will give it a shot as we take a look at why Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. (John 13).
I’ve been talking about what the resurrection of Christ means for us today. Joy forgiveness, presence, hope, victory over death, and abundant life are all resurrection promises. This Sunday I’ll conclude this series by asserting that love wins overall!
I don’t know about you but I’m tired of feeling pressure to take sides in all the debates and arguments circulating on religion, politics, etc. If we must pick aside, let’s choose Jesus.
Come and see,
Pastor Rob
