“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” [John 15:12-13]
Love is such an overused word in our culture. We love apple pie as well as puppies. We love a beautiful sunset as well as our spouses. So, what kind of love is Jesus talking about? The Greek word used in this New Testament text is “agape,” which was understood as unconditional love in ancient times. Jesus’ unconditional love models those well-known verses found in First Corinthians – Love is patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, irritable, or resentful. It does not insist on its own way. It rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Our love falls short of these ideals, at least mine does on occasion. Yet, this is the love we are called to live out as we engage the world around us – in our families, in our church, in our community, and in the world. Jesus calls us to a way of love that always has the other in view, no matter who the other is.
Prayer
Loving God, I confess that my love is often conditional for those whom I love, but especially for those I deem as foes. Give me the courage to learn how to live more faithfully your way of love. Amen.
