Let's Love Each Other

Introduction

What do you think most people think of when they hear the word “Christian?” How has the news media portrayed Christians? What has been the general history of Christianity? It is easy to see and to capture the negative images of Christianity. Something if inestimable value is bound to be counterfeited and abused. The truth is the fact that Christianity is often open to negative exposure speaks to the truth that there are high expectations for those who claim to follow Jesus. One’s expression of allegiance to Jesus may be misunderstood, but once the claim is made there are expectations which follow.

None of us would deny that God has expectations for his children. We may disagree over the breadth, depth, and extent of those expectations but that they exist we would not disagree. Tonight we are going to look at such an expectation from the lips of Jesus. This expectation is new. Jesus declares that this expectation is new. It is different from anything ever given before. It is this new command that we are going to look at tonight.

What’s Real

Jesus’ words have been read to us and by us numerous times. We are to love each other. If you want to make an impression on people; if you want people to pay attention to you as a Christian, then they will notice your love. Not just love in general, although that is included in other places, but love that we have for each other. The love that we share should help others become convinced about who we are following. What makes this command new is the basis for the love. We are to love in the same way that Jesus has loved us. You knew there was a catch.

Amazing isn’t it that Jesus made this a command. It isn’t optional. It is just as binding as “You shall not steal” or “You shall not kill.” It is just as important as any doctrinal matter or standard of morality. Of all the things that Jesus wanted his disciples to know, this one command received special consideration. In two verses he uses the words “command” and “must.” How much more emphasis did he need to place on this command? Just to make sure that his disciples didn’t miss the point, he began the command with a flashing neon sign. “A new command I give you.” In other words Jesus is saying, “Hey, I don’t want you to miss this. What I am getting ready to say is important. Pay attention.”

But it wasn’t enough just to tell us to love each other. If he had stopped there we could have made up our own definition of love. It would have been so much easier if he had just stopped with the words “love each other.” Our definition could have been sweet and syrupy. We could have interpreted his words to mean something sentimental or feelings of closeness. We could have interpreted his words to have little bite. Loving each other could have simply been understood to mean to be cordial to each other; to shake hands on Sunday; to laugh at jokes; to get along with each other. But Jesus defined love for us. “Love each other as I have loved you.” What does this love look like, Jesus? And he answers “it looks like my love.”

Could he have made it any more difficult? Jesus insists that we treat each other in the same way that he treats us. We are commanded to love as Jesus loved. What does that look like in your mind? Do you think of Jesus’ patience in dealing with Peter? Do you remember his tenderness when the woman’s tears spill onto his feet? Do you remember the washing of the traitor’s feet? We think of the cross and well we should. Look at Jesus’ bloodied back. See the crown of thorns piercing his brow. Feel the roughness of the cross. That’s how Jesus loves us. And this is how he commands us to love. That’s hard, but not optional. If we are going to be obedient, we must love as he loved us.

What’s Convicting

How will the world know we are Christians? Jesus says that the world will know we belong to him by the way we love each other. It isn’t the type of clothing that we wear. It’s not the advertising that we do. It is how we treat each other that speaks loudly to the world. Jesus didn’t say that the world would know us by our doctrinal stances; or our organizational purity; or our stance on issues. While all of those have their place, the distinguishing characteristic is in how we love each other.

As Francis Schaeffer wrote, “We cannot expect the world to judge according to doctrine because the world cares nothing about doctrine… If we are surrounded by a world which no longer believes in the concept of truth, certainly we cannot expect people to have any interest in whether a man’s doctrine is correct or not. But Jesus did give the mark that will arrest the attention of the world… What is it? The love that true Christians show for each other.”

When we love as Christ loved then we become distinctive in this world. The world is not used to seeing this kind of love. It is shocked and amazed by this kind of love. It cannot understand the kind of love that prays for enemies; the kind of love that makes no distinction based on social standing, economic prowess, or the color of skin. The world cannot understand the kind of love that believes and gives new beginnings and fresh starts. The world doesn’t understand a love that gives without expecting repayment, returns good for evil, goes the second mile and touches the leper. But what the world may not understand it is drawn to. Because that is the kind of love that the world very much wants.

People will be attracted to a community of believers who act like a family, that comes to the aid of its members, that treats each individual as a valued part of the whole. Several years ago my sister-in-law’s father died. His death from cancer was a long protracted ordeal. Much of his time was spent in his home slowly but surely deteriorating. The congregation where my brother and his wife attended reached out to him. They visited; they prayed; they cooked; they helped out as they could. When he died, his wife began attending the congregation. That kind of love is attractive.

Our shut-ins are being taken care of by family that needs to see that kind of love. Those family members will be impressed with a love that comes from a community of believers; a love that says we care; a love that says you matter; a love that demonstrates connection. This whole series is about developing community and how to act in community ways. We have parts of our body missing and we must be active in making sure that they know that they matter to us. And by doing so we help those who are not part of our body to know that love matters.

What message do we want to give to the world? Jesus says give them the message of love. Give them a message that says love has not died. Give them a message that says trust, commitment, and care still exist. Give them a message that says relationships are not disposable. Give them a message that says that how we treat each other matters. This is the great truth from the lips of Jesus. Love one another just as I have loved you. People are watching. They have seen the discord, the fighting, the disharmony. Let’s show them love. Let’s be the start of something which draws people to Jesus. May people begin to see something divine in us.

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