As Christ loved

John 13:34-35 says "A new commandment I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
How do we define love? Had Jesus simply said "Love one another", we might suppose we could use our own definition of love. But He was very clear on His meaning. We are to love "as He loved". How did Jesus love?

First, Christ loved unconditionally. He accepted people as they were, no strings attatched. There was no if-then clause in His ministry. His love was offered freely to all who would choose to receive it. Mark 1:32-34 describes how Jesus met the needs in peoples lives, healing the sick and driving out demons. "That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. The whole town gathered at the door and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out demons, but He would not let the demons speak because they knew who He was." Jesus loved these people and met their needs, not for His own gain, but out of compassion."

Second, Christ loved uncondemningly. In John chapter 8, a woman is brought before Him and accused of adultery. "The teachers of the law and the pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now what do you say?" Rather than judge her, Jesus addressed the crowd (verse 7) "If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone."

Third, Christ loved unselfishly. Many times we see where Jesus stopped what He was doing to meet the needs of others. He often put Himself last, taking on the role of a servant. At His final meal with His disciples, Jesus took on the role of a servant and washed His disciples feet. John 13:4-5 "So, he got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet." Christ's love portrayed the ultimate sacrifice in that He died on the cross so that the gap sin created between us and God could be bridged, and we might have eternal life through a relationship with Him--something more wonderful than all this world could ever offer.

The extent of Christ's love is difficult to grasp. The depth, the power, the hope in it. Yet, we are fully expected to live our lives in such a way that that love is reflected through us apon others. When you look at people, do you see what God sees without judgement? Do you have compassion? Do you feel people's pain? Would you stop everything to meet the need in another's life? Would you die for the sake of another? Don't we often make excuses that we are too busy, or that our needs matter more. Are we often unwilling to share Christ with others because of the cost? Are we loving as Christ loved? Or are we loving on our own terms?

Examine your own life, and ask yourself these questions. Ask the Lord to show you how you can fulfill this command in your day to day life to bring Him honor and glory. For this is how the world will know that we are His disciples, by the way we love one another.

Won't you show your love for the Somali people today by lifting them up in prayer and seeking the Lord's will in how you might serve a lost and dying nation?