Love One Another

 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.  If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~ John 13:31-35

In my lifetime, I can't remember a time where loving one another was such a divisive thing or caused so much disagreement.

From looking through public religious forums and social media, there seems to be grave division over what this command from Jesus means and looks like to different Christian groups.

For some Christians, as I've seen it discussed, you have the idea that (as JD Vance said), you begin by loving those closest to you. working your way outward and maybe eventually caring about those far away from you.

What I've seen often aligned with this notion is the idea that to love someone means to correct their sinful behavior. In fact, I've seen some say that compassion and empathy may actually be sinful themselves when we turn that compassion and empathy to a sinner.

But that isn't the love of Jesus.

When Jesus says "love one another, just as I've loved you," he is talking to a group who he knows will let him down: who are very much sinful themselves. One has already left to betray him. One will deny him. The rest will desert him.

But to this group of flawed mixed up human beings, Jesus gets on his knees to wash their feet. He shows compassion for them. He does not withhold love from them until they get their lives straightened.

Jesus showed love and compassion to everyone: sinners, strangers, immigrants, and outcasts of all kinds. He showed love even though they didn't show that they deserved it.

It is this kind of love that today gives me hope. It is this voice of Christianity that I pray the world becomes drawn to.

Our Jesus is not one who divides or withholds. Our Jesus is one who loves unconditionally, no matter whether we deserve it or not.

Jesus, lover of all, please teach me how to lead with compassion so that the world may know who you are and the expansive, generous love you have for us. Amen