A Command to Love

In John 13:34, Jesus gives us a new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This is a command, not a suggestion. Jesus is clear: He doesn’t say, "If it works for you, maybe love one another." No, He says, “You must love one another.”

The love Jesus is talking about here is called agape love. It’s a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. At its core, agape love means to prefer the other. It’s choosing to put someone else’s needs before your own, not because it’s convenient, but because you choose to love them selflessly. Agape love doesn't focus on what we can get in return. Instead, it asks, "How can I give to this person? How can I serve them, even when it’s hard or uncomfortable?"

In the world we live in, we are often taught to prioritize ourselves. We are encouraged to put our needs first, to take care of “me” before anyone else. But Jesus calls us to something different.

This can be difficult. There are times when we find ourselves thinking, “Well, they didn’t do this for me, so I’m not going to do that for them.” But Jesus challenges us to remember that agape love is not about getting back what we give. It’s about giving freely, just as Christ did for us.

In Romans 5:8, we are reminded that Jesus didn’t wait for us to get it all together before He chose to love us. He loved us when we were at our worst. That’s the kind of love we are called to show others.

This agape love is more than just a feeling or a nice idea — it’s a commitment. A covenant. It’s a promise to love others, no matter what. In a covenant, you say, “I will love you, even when you don’t love me back. I will show up for you, even when it’s hard. I will serve you, even when it’s not convenient.” This is the love that holds a community together, and it’s the kind of love that reflects Christ to the world.

Reflect:

• What does my love for others look like?
• Is it selfless and sacrificial? Are there times when I am more focused on what I get in return?
• How could I show agape love to someone in my life today?
• What might it look like to show agape love to others in my church community?