Choose Love
Have you noticed being a Christian, a follower of Jesus, seems to start off fairly simple, but grows into something much larger and more complex? The saying goes something like this, “Jesus will meet you right where you are, but He will not keep you there.” The idea behind this statement is growth, spiritual growth. There is action involved. A choice is made and that choice is to be more like Jesus today than I was yesterday. And if tomorrow comes I want to be even more like Jesus then!
Jesus set the perfect example and we are to mirror that example the best we can. As He works His way to the cross, which is His ultimate goal, Jesus is constantly teaching and building up His disciples (His closest friends, the ones He knew would help change the world!). In John 13, Jesus does a very strange thing; He washes the disciples feet! This is odd to us today because this custom is not practiced in America. It was equally as odd when Jesus did it because He is the leader, the boss, the head guy and this type of person never did the washing. His feet should have been washed by someone else.
The disciples are somewhat baffled by what has just happened. It is one of those “head scratching” moments. Then Jesus, the Great Teacher, pulls it all together. He gives an amazing example and follows it up with a new command or challenge. “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another”. (John 13:34)
Again Jesus has flipped everything upside down. His actions in washing His friends feet show love, care and serving. Then His command is spoken like a father to his children. I can only imagine how shocked the disciples would have been in this moment. The tenderness, the love, the passion would have been overwhelming!
Peter seems to struggle with this situation the most or he is the most vocal about the situation. But we find out later in Peter’s life, he may have learned the most. Love is far more than an emotion. It is a choice. It is action. We are called to choose to love everyday and every moment in the day. Peter says, “keep loving one another earnestly” or “love like your life depends on it”. (1 Peter 4:8)
Today I choose love! Will you join me? If we love today the way Jesus loved, if we follow His example, lives will be changed. People around us will see the difference. “Everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:35)