Reflections

John 15:12 “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” Sounds simple. But, how did Jesus love us? He left his home, he left almost all of the privileges of his station, the eternal Word of God, and took on the limitations of ‘flesh.’ He was poor, despised, persecuted.

His father probably died before Jesus was twenty which left Jesus responsible for the family. Not too much later, as Jesus followed his heavenly father’s guidance, he left his earthly family so he could teach all of us what life was really about. He showed us by his example that life is about loving and serving God and others. He healed, taught, fed, enjoyed people’s company, and generally showed people that God loves them and wants to be their best friend.

That love took Jesus to the cross. But that love also raised him from the dead and seated him again in his rightful place, at God’s right hand. That love drove him to give us what we needed but could not do for ourselves—a sacrifice for sin so we could come back home and be a part of God’s family.

Does loving the way Jesus loved us sound simple now? It is still a command for us. Will you live your life in love and service to God and others? Will you treat those who persecute you like family so that they may have the opportunity of being included in God’s family? Will you let God have all that you have for the hope and joy of sitting with Jesus someday?

Pastor Mike Powers

Hope Community Church of God