Fifth Sunday of Easter
Love One Another
One of the church’s fundamental principles is the doctrine of the imago Dei: every individual is created in God’s image and likeness and is deeply loved and valued by God. God’s unconditional love for all produces in the people of God God’s very character, holiness, purity, and the power to overcome the things that seek to divide us. Through the shed blood of Jesus, God’s love frees us from sin and spiritual death and inspires and transforms us, instilling within us hope for a renewed life.
In the context of our Scripture (John 13:31–35), Jesus, aware of arrest and impending death, imparted a “new commandment” to his followers: “Love one another. As I have loved you, love one another.”
Jesus’ love for all humanity compels him to sacrifice his life on Calvary so we can experience eternal life. This selfless love of Christ shining abroad in our hearts should inspire us to love each other sacrificially, a love that transcends social status, political affiliation, denomination, race, language, or creed.
To love one another as Christ has loved us means living not for ourselves , but in submission to God and in service to those around us, even to those who may seem unlovable. Although it is a challenge, it can inspire us to become better disciples of Christ.
The ecclesia—the called-out church of Jesus Christ—has no greater need today than to fall in love with Jesus anew. As his disciples, we can begin to see beyond boundaries and barriers and realize that God has constrained us to love as God loves. Through our authentic love for one another, the church will experience the presence and power of Jesus Christ. We can then witness a world where the love of humanity overcomes coldness and callousness towards each other—a world where we truly embody the call to “love one another.”
Evette J. Campbell, pastor
Rolling Hills Moravian Church, Longwood, FL