DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

Love One Another

According to legend a Christian apologist sent a letter to the Roman Emperor, Hadrian in A.D. 124 to describe Christians. Does it fit today? “Falsehood is not found among them; and they love one another, and they don’t hesitate to honor widows; and they rescue the orphans who are being abused. The one who has gives to the one who lacks, without bragging about it. And when they meet a stranger, they take him into their homes and rejoice over him as if he were a brother. . . . And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food themselves, they will fast two or three days just so they can have something to share with the one lacking food. They observe the teachings of their Messiah with much care, living justly and soberly as the Lord their God has commanded them.”

The night before he was crucified Jesus said to his disciples, “A new commandment I give you; Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34) “Maundy Thursday,” comes from this passage. It means “Commandment” Thursday. But God had long ago commanded his people Israel to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” So what’s new?

Natural human religion teaches, “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” That’s still a self-serving reason to love others. That’s not what Jesus teaches. Nor is Jesus commanding us to “find the power of love inside of us to follow his example.” What makes Jesus’ command new? No longer are we to love as we love ourselves but as Jesus has loved us. And how did Jesus love sinners? “This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1John 4:10)

This is the motivation for us. There is no loving anyone or understanding what true love is apart from knowing what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Our love is often “half-love”; partly given away, partly directed back at us so we can feel good about ourselves for what we have done. Jesus loved you only because he wanted to save you. Every day as we confess our sins and humbly hang our heads, he is right there to assure us that we are his dear, forgiven brothers and sisters. Every day he does not treat us as our sins deserve. Every day he deals with us in mercy and grace. Every day his love causes us to ask with the psalmist: “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (Ps 116:12). Here is his answer: Not a long list of ideas, commands, principles, guidelines, directives, mandates—no. Just these three simple words of truth: Love one another.

Come, worship with us during Lent every Wednesday at 5 pm.