Near the end of their time together, Jesus gives a new instruction to his followers. He tells them to love each other as he has loved them. In fact, Jesus wants their love for one another to be the way everyone will know they are his followers.
Love is a wide and complicated task. It extends way beyond good feelings and happiness together:
- Love is a choice to stay around when we are angry or disappointed.
- Love is the commitment to see the good in someone who has hurt us.
- Love is restraint that halts vengeful words or actions when we’ve been wronged.
- Love is patience that moves us to give yet another chance.
- Love is gathering the strength to speak truth into a complicated situation.
- Love is persistently calling for responsibility and change when they are needed.
- Love is firm resolve that does not tolerate bad or hurtful behavior.
- Love is calling for justice.
Love is truly one of the hardest things we do in relationship with each other.
Loving one another as we have been loved by Jesus is such a difficult thing to do that we followers of Jesus often fail miserably. Sadly, followers of Jesus are sometimes better known for judging others, squabbling, claiming to be right, grabbing power, breaking way, and rejecting each other.
Despite the failings of Jesus’ followers, there are so many times when we do manage to love. There are moments and encounters where Jesus’ love is lived out as we strive to love generously, unreservedly, without requirements or strings attached. Situations when Jesus’ love is shared between people in ways that are powerful and life-giving and transforming – when the presence of God is truly found in our interactions.
We are called by the one who loves us without condition or limit to love each other. In this season of resurrection, we keep on trying. The God who can defeat death will surely help us learn how to actually love each other. Each time we manage to love, our relationships and the world are transformed.
Peace,