Worth Repeating

Whenever God repeats something in His Word, I think it is important that we pay attention to it.  During the Last Supper, after Judas left the upper room, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34).
 
In John chapter 15, we find that Jesus has led the disciples out of the upper room and began the long walk to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Along the way, Jesus repeated His command from the upper room as He said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)  He then elaborates on this by giving them an example of “loving like He loves” as He said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

This is not “love your neighbor” kind of love.  This love calls us to a higher standard.  It has a much deeper cost.  Laying your life down means profound sacrifice and Jesus is calling us to do that, not for our neighbors, but for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
That kind of love gets the attention of the world and creates inside of a lost and dying world a realization that this kind of love cannot be experienced outside of Christ.  It creates a hunger for this love that can only be satisfied in Christ.  Is it any wonder that Jesus said this command twice?  It is a command worth repeating.  It is a command worth obeying.

These are your Words for Wednesday.  As we approach Resurrection Sunday, take time to contemplate how much Jesus loves you to have taken your place on the cross.  Then think about how you can share that same love with a brother or sister in Christ.  Have a great rest of your week!

In Christ,

Kevin