Love One Another



 "Love one another as I have loved you." John 13:34


Today is Maundy Thursday. Maundy is derived from the Latin word "mandatum" meaning "command." Towards the end of the Last Supper, Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment, to "love one another as I have loved you."  

When I reflect on how I have loved others, I feel convicted to admit that I gravitate toward what comes naturally and is convenient. For me it is sending cards of encouragement and support. For others, their go-to gesture of love might be making a meal or sending flowers. It is wonderful when we can share our time and talents to love others, but I would challenge us to contemplate how we can do a better job loving others. Our agenda, responsibilities, and needs often interfere or take precedence. We often show acts of kindness when it is convenient and fits our schedule. It is easier to extend gestures of love to a friend, but not as easy when the person in need isn't someone you know well, if at all.  Are you content to quietly live for others or feel a need to be recognized or make known your efforts? Are we motivated to extend love out of obligation instead of compassion?

He not only gave us the command that we should love others, but also how to love one another. The Greek word agape is used for God's love toward us and for the love that we should display toward one another. Jesus loved us unconditionally, which is love that is offered freely.  It is love without strings attached. You don't base it on what others do for you in return.  We don't always love others in this fashion.

Love is the foundation of our Christian faith. We must ask ourselves, are we giving the best of ourselves to others? Are we willing to take steps to get out of our comfort zone and love in ways that really make a difference even if they take more effort? Are we letting the Holy Spirit guide our actions? 

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us this command and for showing us how to love others well. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear when others are in need and guide us to know how best to respond. We ask you to fill us with your love on a daily basis, so we can love others in our life like you would if you walked in our shoes. In your precious name, Amen.

Dr. Kathy Zakarian Psy.D

Comments

  1. Beth ChristianApril 1, 2021 at 4:38 AM

    The simplest command and sometimes so hard to do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoyApril 1, 2021 at 7:48 PM

    Thank you, Kathy. This fits perfectly with how our Maundy Thursday service unfolded.

    ReplyDelete

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