Has someone ever asked you to describe yourself? Perhaps they asked you to choose just a few words to introduce yourself, and you began thinking, Oh goodness, what are my hobbies? What are my interests? What is my attitude usually like? What are my qualities? Maybe someone has even asked someone else to describe you. That’s a little more nerve wracking! We can choose to share all of our good characteristics, but someone else may be a little more honest!
If we could go back to live among Jesus and interview His disciples, those in the synagogues, and even the Pharisees- I wonder what they would say about our Savior? What words would they use to describe Him?
Patient. Humble. Caring. Gentle. Loving.
Days before Jesus’ crucifixion we find Jesus with His disciples breaking bread and washing their feet. He tells the disciples that soon He will leave them, and then He says these words:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -John 13:34-35
Jesus tells us plain and simple how we are supposed to be known: by our love. Our love for one another will be how the world knows we are His disciples. Jesus, the Son of God, was the perfect example of love. For we know that God IS love, and in obedience to Jesus’ commands and the Word of Lord, we too, are to love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. -1 John 4:16b
While I don’t think we should worry ourselves away with how others see us, or what they think of us, I do find it helpful to occasionally ask ourselves- What am I known for right now? Is it my career? My political opinions? My hobbies? My busy schedule? My family? These things may not even be “bad,” but if they’re speaking louder than love, our lives are not fulfilling Jesus’ commands.
I recently finished reading Everybody Always by Bob Goff. His writing is both entertaining, yet so convicting. His bestselling book, Love Does, tells of how to best love your neighbor instead of checking all of the “right boxes.” Everybody Always follows up by explaining how we don’t just love the people that are easy to love- we love everybody always. Bob does such a wonderful job of laying out the example of Jesus as a model of how to love everyone in our life. He begins by telling of a friend of his that loves well and he writes:
“They decided to spend more time loving people than trying to game the system by just agreeing with Jesus. You see, they wanted to follow Jesus’ example; instead of telling people what Jesus meant, they just loved people the way He did.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the routines of Christianity, following the “rights and wrongs” of religion. However, Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Then, to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). It takes building relationships over rule-following and religion.
What’s getting in the way of love being the loudest thing in your life? Perhaps there are convictions or opinions that are overwhelming your life. Let love cover them. Maybe there’s addictions or sin that seem to control you. Let love cover them. Your career or interests may be dominating all of your time. Let love cover them.
Jesus was known for His love. My prayer is that we would be too.
-Jillian Jantz | Ministry Coordinator
