True Love is the Most Difficult Kind

[Jesus said,] “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

Jesus tells his closest circle to love each other. It is the summation of Jesus’ teaching; love of the other is at the core of all his actions. And Jesus demonstrates the highest form of love, agape, a love of self-sacrifice, when he tells Judas to begin what must be done, his betrayal which will lead to his ignominious death. 

Jesus, therefore, is not just telling us to be people of love. He is, instead, demonstrating the highest form of love, giving his human and divine life for each of us. We should never forget or overlook this: Jesus loves us so much that he dies for the undeserving, and all of us are undeserving. 

Jesus died through the most condemning means possible at the time. He was charged as a criminal, tortured, and hung naked on a cross for all to see. He asphyxiated slowly while the public watched, including his own mother. There is no easy death, but a death of wrongful accusation, ignominy, and torture is among the worse. And we should never forget that God willingly suffered it for each of us, even the Judas Isacriots of the world. 

Jesus commands, “Love one another. As I have loved you. . .” In other words, we are to love with abandon, love without limit, and love until it hurts. Our love, then, Jesus says, is the characteristic that defines us as Christians to “everyone.” 

Agape is a tall order; isn’t it? And I am quite bad at it, too. I tend to be selfish, a wimp, and lazy. Just ask my wife. However, there is hope for broken people like me, for we can’t do it alone. It is only through God’s grace that all things, even self-sacrificial love, are made possible.  

Loving Father,
I pray that your grace infuse us with the strength to love without abandon. In Jesus' name, amen.

Peace,
Stan