May 12, 2024 "Love Is The Identifying Marker"

ReNew Ames Messages

If you knew you were about to die, what would you say to those in this world you love the most? What hope or dream would you share? What advice would you give? That's essentially what we get in Jesus' words. He knows the end is near. So what dream does he give them? A command and a promise. The command - love each other. Jesus doesn't say, act as if you love each other. He doesn't let us off the hook. He means really love each other - as he has loved us. Man, it seems like he's asking the impossible. Important questions for us to ponder - again, I don't know if I have the answers. What would it look like if we took this seriously? Do we know how to love as Jesus loved? Do we know how to feel the kind of compassion he felt? Do we hunger for justice so fiercely that we'll reorder our entire lives just to bring it about? Do we want this? Most of the time we don't. We'd rather be safe and keep our circles small and manageable. We'd rather love people based on shared values and preferences and beliefs and not on Jesus' all-inclusive command. And yet, love is the thing Jesus calls us to. As he's headed for death - love is the thing he commands. The promise - everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another. Love is the litmus test. Love is THE identifying marker. NOT beliefs. Not doctrinal or personal purity. Not any of the other things we argue about and split over. But love. Jesus seems to be saying that if we fail to love one another then the world will not learn what it needs to learn about who God is. And if we're honest, we've done a whole lot of failing. Fortunately, Jesus doesn't leave us alone. He gives us a road map. As I have loved you. Live and love as I have lived and loved. Weep with those who weep. Laugh with those who laugh. Touch the untouchables. Include those who have been pushed out. Feed the hungry. Visit the prisoners. Free the captive. Confront the oppressors. Stand with the oppressed. Wash each other's feet. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: John 13:31-35 http://bible.com/events/49258770