Love One Another
To reflect God’s heart to the world around us, we need to know God’s heart and, we believe, God’s heart is most clearly represented in Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we invite you to explore the life of Jesus by reading the Gospel of John with us. As we delve into the richness of scripture, we’ll utilize the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, which invites us to slow down and posture our hearts to hear from God. With that said, let’s begin with a prayer.
Open your time by reciting these words:
Lord, as I approach scripture, prepare my heart to encounter You in its pages. Quiet the distractions that pull me away and open my eyes to see Your truth. May I encounter these words humbly, with an open mind and a receptive spirit. May my time in Scripture be a sacred encounter that deepens my relationship with You and transforms me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lectio (Reading)
Take a moment to read John 13:21-38 slowly and attentively. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. Allow the text to wash over you, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Meditatio (Meditation)
In the bustling room where Jesus reclined with his disciples during the Last Supper, a heavy atmosphere lingered with the weight of impending events hanging in the air like a thick fog. Amidst the murmurs and the clinking of cups, Jesus spoke with an importance that caught every ear. "One of you will betray me," He declared, His words piercing through the chatter like a sharp sword.
The disciples exchanged glances, their hearts gripped with uncertainty. Who among them could be capable of such disloyalty? Peter, ever the impulsive disciple, leaned in to John, the beloved disciple, and encouraged him to ask who the betrayer might be. John, his heart a frenzy of emotions, leaned back against Jesus and whispered the question that weighed heavy on their minds.
As the room held its breath, Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it." With a gesture as simple as it was profound, Jesus identified Judas Iscariot as the one who would betray Him. And yet, in the face of such betrayal, Jesus did not condemn Judas, respond in anger, seek revenge, or cast Judas aside. Instead, He offered him a morsel of bread, a gesture of love even in the midst of betrayal. In this moment, we see the radical nature of Jesus' love. It is a love that transcends human understanding, a love that extends even to those who would betray Him. It is a love that offers grace and forgiveness, even in the face of betrayal and denial.
Take a moment to imagine yourself seated around the table with Jesus and his disciples during the Last Supper. As Jesus speaks of betrayal and love, feel the weight of his words in the room and reflect on how Jesus interacts with Judas. Consider how Jesus' example of sacrificial love and unwavering loyalty can inspire and guide you in your own interactions with others.
Contemplatio (Contemplation)
But Jesus' words did not stop with the revelation of the betrayer. He turned to His disciples and issued them a new commandment: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." This commandment, simple though it may seem, carries with it profound implications. Jesus calls His disciples to a love that mirrors His own—a love that is sacrificial, unconditional, and unwavering. It is a love that puts the needs of others above our own, that extends grace and forgiveness even when it is undeserved.
Take a moment to share with God your thoughts, feelings, and desires as you contemplate this passage. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? Are there relationships in which you find it challenging to love sacrificially? Pour out your heart to God, offering your concerns, doubts, and hopes to Him.
Actio (Action)
And yet, Jesus knew that His disciples would struggle to live out this commandment. He knew that they would falter and fail, just as Peter would later deny Him three times. And so, He offered them a word of encouragement: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." In these words, Jesus reminds us that our love for one another is not just a reflection of our relationship with Him, but also a powerful witness to the world. It is through our love for one another that others will see the transformative power of the gospel at work in our lives.
Take a moment to consider your relationships where tension and struggle exist. Are there specific actions or attitudes that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to change or cultivate? Perhaps it's reaching out to mend a broken relationship, extending forgiveness to someone who has wronged you, or simply striving to love others more deeply and authentically.
Oratio (Prayer)
Close your time by reciting this prayer or lifting up your own:
Heavenly Father, in the face of betrayal and uncertainty, help us to embody the radical love of Jesus Christ, extending grace and forgiveness to those who may hurt us. Grant us the strength to love one another as Jesus loved us, sacrificially and unconditionally, so that through our actions, others may see the transformative power of Your gospel at work in our lives. May our love be a beacon of hope and a visible example to Your unfailing love for all mankind. Amen.