Pastor Mark Harkness

Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.  If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.  Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’  I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:31b-35 NRSV)
 

Greetings in the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ!

One of my favorite hymns is “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love,” written by Peter Scholtes in 1966. The title – repeated twice in the refrain – reminds us not just how to distinguish ourselves in the world, but how to bear witness to Jesus’ saving grace. Drawing upon Jesus’ command to his disciples at the last supper (after he himself bowed down to wash their feet and sat lovingly next to the one whom he knew would betray him) to love one another as (he) loved them, the love he invokes is agape (αγαπε) – the love of devotion and commitment to another’s well-being and not necessarily affection. It’s a love that transforms not just the lover but the loved.

Jesus’ command wasn’t that his disciples should be friendly amongst themselves, but that they should devote themselves to one another and the other’s well-being. That idea runs contrary to the general attitude then and now – that it’s best to prioritize oneself even if it diminishes another. Rather than putting Christians at a disadvantage, that love helped them to thrive. When others noticed, they too were drawn to learn more.

As you know, Dolly Parton died recently. After referencing Jesus’ command to love one another she explained her approach, “If you’re kind to people, they usually feel bad about not being kind to somebody else. That’s how you spread anything, whether it’s for good or for bad. So why not spread kindness?”
 
When we love one another – when we love others in our social circle and in our community – not just by being kind but by offering ourselves in each circumstance to help the best in them shine through – we draw attention to Christ Jesus living in us and infect the world with hope.
 

We don’t have to be buddies with everyone, and there may even be people whom we dislike, but Jesus only commands us to love one another. By that, we set an example of holy respect and allow the image of God in ourselves and others to shine through.

Especially at a time when culture tribalism has taken over, telling us that we should look upon those who disagree with us as enemies -–our faith shines when we love others in the same way that Jesus loves us.

 
Your brother in Christ,
Rev. Mark Harkness