Throughout the Easter season this year, we heard a number of readings from both the gospel of John and the first letter of John.  Many of these readings focused on love.  It is said that as the apostle John grew older, he would say the same thing over and over again: “Little children, love one another!”  He was speaking to all those who are children of God and emphasizing the one thing that sets apart followers of Jesus Christ:  their love.

    There are some who hear the command to love one another and presume that it means to always “be nice,” always give in, always say “yes” to everything, and always put the needs of others ahead of your own.  Yet, is this really what Jesus was teaching?

    Jesus’ command was not simply to love one another, but “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12).  We need to look to the example of Jesus as we think about what it means to live in love.

    As for always being “nice,” this doesn’t seem to describe Jesus at all.  What about his run-ins with the scribes and Pharisees where he refers to them as hypocrites?  What about his rebuke to Peter – “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mk. 8:33)?  What about the time when he drove the money-changers out of the temple?  With Jesus, love for God came first, and those who pretended to know God but did not love were challenged.

    And how about always giving in?  When Jesus’ family came to try and take him home, he pointed to the crowd and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers” (Mk. 3:34).  Jesus insisted on hanging out with those who were serious about doing the will of God.  At the same time, Jesus did not give in to those who wanted to take him and make him king by force.  He knew that this was not what God intended for him.

    As for putting the needs of others ahead of his own, Jesus did do this much of the time.  Sometimes he spent time without food or without sleep.  Sometimes he interrupted his intended “retreat time” to minister to people who were like “sheep without a shepherd” (Mk. 6:34).  Ultimately, when Jesus gave his life it was for the needs of others.

    Yet, at the same time, Jesus knew when rest was needed.  Jesus took the time to be alone for prayer.  He also made up the retreat time after ministering to the needs of the people.  He fell asleep when he was tired and ate in order to renew his strength.  Jesus cared for himself in order to be able to care for others.

    Jesus was willing to be a servant for others, but also allowed others to serve him.  To him, love was truly for one another – mutual respect, mutual love, and mutual service.  However, for most of us we can handle the people who also love us.  But what about the people who are demanding or insulting or inappropriate?  How do we live in love then?

    Once again, we can look to Jesus.  When people insulted him, he prayed for them (Lk. 23:34).  When people came with inappropriate requests, he discussed it with them and then said “no” (Mt. 20:20-23).  In all things, love for God was primary, and love was shown to others regardless of whether they showed love in return or not.

    Alas, we are not Jesus, and we are still learning.  May we continue to grow in love by the power of the Holy Spirit – for God, for one another, for neighbours and strangers, and for ourselves.

    In Christ,

Pastor Lynne Hutchison