God’s love a gift to us so we can love one another
by Norma Koehne
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Love one another as I have loved you (John 13:35).
Read John 13:31–38
As part of his preparation for the disciples, Jesus tells them that through the horrific events that will soon unfold, he will be ‘glorified and God is glorified in him’ (verse 31). He is glorified, both in his passion and resurrection. He ‘became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God highly exalted him’ (Philippians 2:8b,9).
Because he will soon no longer be with them, he gives them a new command, ‘Love one another. As I have loved, you love one another’ (verse 34). What an impossible task Jesus has asked us to perform! How can I possibly love as he has loved? His love was perfect. He loved the unlovable – lepers, sinners, those despised by society at the time. His love was so amazing that he willingly took my sins and yours and paid a horrible price.
And yet, in other places in Scripture, we are told that Jesus does not ask us to do great and wonderful deeds of love. Peter was way off base when he said, ‘I will lay down my life for you’. All Jesus wanted at that time was for the disciples to watch and pray as Jesus had asked when in the Garden of Gethsemane. Although Peter had the courage to go to the high priest’s house, he was not able to witness to the fact that he was a follower of Jesus. His courage failed him. Would I have done better?
Rather than doing heroic and difficult acts of love for our Saviour, we are encouraged to show love in all aspects of our daily life, even the simplest. Jesus tells us that even our smallest acts are acts of love to him. ‘For when I was hungry you gave me food; when I was thirsty you gave me drink; when I was a stranger you took me into your home; when naked you clothed me; when I was ill you came to my help; when in prison you visited me’ (Matthew 25:35,36). Rejoice that you serve your Saviour as you serve others.
Lord, we thank you for the love that took you to the cross for my sake. Fill my heart with your love so that it may overflow in acts of love to those around me without any conscious effort on my part. Amen.
Norma grew up at Koonibba in South Australia. She was a teacher at Concordia College in SA and then served in various roles in Papua New Guinea with her husband. Returning to Australia, Norma worked as an international student advisor and, after completing a PhD, worked in administration at the University of Divinity. She has been privileged to serve the LCA on the General Church Council and Seminary Council and as president of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Lutheran Women of Australia. Currently, she is happily retired.
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