God’s timing is always perfect. Today as I read and reflect on this passage it is February 14 (Valentine’s Day). You’ll be reading this a day late, but that’s okay, it’s a great message for any day of the year. How fitting that Jesus’ would be telling us to love each other.
Jesus’ days on earth are coming to an end, and it’s time he reminded his disciples of this reality. Remember our reading from yesterday – Judas has just been called out as the betrayer and told to leave to do his thing. While the disciples are trying to get their heads around that, Jesus talks about only being with them a little longer. His time has come. It’s time for God to receive glory.
Jesus gives the disciples (and us) a new commandment. He knows he will not be with them to enforce it, but they need to be accountable in other ways. We are to love one another. What does that look like exactly? Jesus tells us to love as he has loved. But that’s crazy – Jesus loved everybody, how am I supposed to love everyone? There are some crazy people out in the world.
That’s true, but Jesus didn’t say to only love the ones who are pretty, or nice, or like you, etc. He said to love one another. By doing so, we will set ourselves apart from others who are more in love with themselves or things of the world. To be seen as a follower of Jesus means we need to be full of love.
Valentine’s Day is the day love is celebrated. We don’t just love one day a year, we just focus on it with cards, candy, flowers, etc. Different cultures do it differently, too, but the bottom line is to love one another. Be kind to one another.
How do we show love? Sometimes it’s with gifts, or physical touch, or kind gestures, or spending quality time together or sharing words of affirmation. These represent the different love languages. Not all people feel loved in the same way. It’s important to remember that when showing your love. Knowing who you are loving and what they need to feel loved will help you be a better lover.
Learning from Jesus is probably the best way to love. He loved everyone. He didn’t ask for anything in return. He just gave. People didn’t have to act a certain way or even believe he was God’s son for him to love them completely.
How do you show love to other people? Are you doing a better job today than yesterday? Let Jesus be your guide.
Let’s pray. Lord, I love you with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thank you for the example you have set before us. May I love without judgment. May I carry your message of love into the world. Help me not to shy away from my enemies but to be bold and genuine in my love for them, too. May everything I say be loving and uplifting to those I meet. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
