The Power of Love

In a world often driven by self-interest and division, there's a timeless message that has the power to transform our relationships, our communities, and our very lives. It's a message of love - but not just any love. This is a love that goes beyond mere feelings or platitudes, a love that demands action and challenges us to our core.

At the heart of this message is a simple yet profound commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you." These words, spoken by Jesus to his disciples, set a new standard for human interaction. It's not just another rule to follow or box to tick. Instead, it's a revolutionary approach to life that has the potential to change everything.

But what does it mean to love as Jesus loved? To understand this, we need to look at the context in which these words were spoken. It was during the last supper, on the eve of Jesus' crucifixion. The disciples, still not fully grasping what was about to unfold, were anticipating the establishment of a political kingdom. They were jockeying for positions, dreaming of power and influence.

In the midst of this, Jesus drops a bombshell: He's leaving them. Can you imagine the shock and confusion they must have felt? It's in this moment of uncertainty and impending loss that Jesus gives them - and us - this new commandment.

This isn't a command to feel something, but to do something. It's a call to action, a challenge to love in a way that goes beyond our natural inclinations. Jesus isn't asking us to love only those who are easy to love or those who love us in return. He's calling us to a higher standard - to love as He has loved us.

Think about that for a moment. How has Jesus loved you? For some, He found you as a child. For others, He called you when you were at your lowest point, engaged in behaviors you're not proud of. He loved you on your worst days, in your poorest choices. He loved you when you were unlovable.

This kind of love removes our excuses. It takes away our reasons not to forgive, not to extend grace, mercy, and compassion. It challenges us to offer second, third, and tenth chances to everyone we meet - just as Jesus has done for us.

But it doesn't stop there. Jesus goes on to say, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." This love isn't just a personal ethic - it's meant to be a visible sign to the world. It's meant to set us apart, to be a stark contrast to the self-centered ways of the world.

This new commandment is both simpler and more demanding than any religious system that came before it. There are no loopholes, no workarounds. It's why we often try to avoid it or water it down - because it's hard. Really hard.

So how do we live out this commandment in our daily lives? It starts with a simple question: "What does love require of me?" This question should serve as our guide in every interaction, every decision. It should inform how we date, parent, lead, and relate to our neighbors and friends.

When we're unsure what to say or do, we should ask what love requires of us. When we're tempted to control others, speak harshly, act rashly, or pass judgment, we should pause and consider: What would love do in this situation?

The Apostle Paul gives us a beautiful description of this kind of love in 1 Corinthians 13. He tells us that love is patient and kind. It doesn't envy or boast. It isn't proud or self-seeking. It keeps no record of wrongs and always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.

Imagine how our relationships would change if we truly lived this out. What if we refused to dishonor others, even when we disagree with them? What if we always sought to protect our relationships rather than win arguments? What if we kept no record of wrongs, offering forgiveness freely and repeatedly?

This kind of love isn't for the faint of heart. It's challenging, unrelenting in its expectations of us. And yet, isn't this exactly how we want others to treat us? Don't we long for this kind of love from our spouses, children, friends, and colleagues?

Living out this commandment might require us to apologize when we'd rather stand our ground. It might mean rebuilding bridges we've burned because we were too focused on being "right." It could involve putting first those we've previously cast aside.

But what if they don't want our love? What if they reject our attempts at reconciliation? Here's where the example of Jesus becomes even more powerful. What did He do when we weren't interested in His love? He kept loving, unreservedly and sacrificially.

This is the heart of the gospel - that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He loved us at our worst, and He calls us to do the same for others.

As we navigate the complexities of our relationships and the challenges of our world, may we continually ask ourselves: What does love require of me? May we have the courage to answer that question honestly and act accordingly, even when it's difficult.

In doing so, we won't just be following a commandment. We'll be participating in a revolution of love that has the power to transform our lives and our world. We'll be known as disciples of Jesus, not by our words or our religious observances, but by our love.

So let's embrace this new commandment. Let's love one another as Christ has loved us. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. For in this love, we find our true purpose, our deepest fulfillment, and the power to change the world.