Love One Another Some More

Jesus said, "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." [Jn 13:34-35]

When reflecting on this commandment of Jesus, it is important to know that in Greek there are three words that are translated into English as "love." The first of these is EROS [air-'os] which is erotic love or desire. It's the Barry White "Hey, Baby" kind of love. The second is PHILOS [fee'-los] which is the love of friends. The third is AGAPAO [ag-ap-ah'-o] which is the root word form for AGAPE [ag-ah'-pay]. This third Greek word is the one used by Jesus in the reading above. This is the highest and best form of love. It is not casual or easy. It is sacrificial and costly. It is the kind of love that Jesus showed us by giving his life on the cross for our sins. It is the kind of love he challenges us to show to one another

Therefore, when Jesus commands us to LOVE one another. He is challenging us to to see everyone as a child of God, worthy of the highest and best love we can offer to them. It is best summed up in the Sanskrit word NAMASTE which means "Bowing [namas] to you [te]." When people say NAMASTE, they are saying "the spirit in me recognizes the spirit in you." We may not always agree with one another. We may ruffle each other's feathers from time to time. But I do not think of myself as superior to you and recognize that the spirit of God dwells in all of God's children even those who may look, act and think a lot differently than me.

The AGAPE love spoken of by Jesus in John 13 should challenge us to the core. It is NOT a love that can manifest itself in hatred and hostility toward others. It is NOT a love that chooses to spread misinformation and lies in order to advance a political agenda. It is NOT a love that would work hard to defeat a hate crimes bill sending the message that it's O.K. to kill or hurt another person because we perceive them to be a certain way.

Who Would Jesus Hate? No one! Who would Jesus Kill? No one! Jesus even loved the Pharisees who plotted against him every step of the way. Sure, he got angry with their spiritual hypocrisy calling them "whitewashed tombs" because they looked pretty good on the outside but inside their political and religious agendas got in the way of their ability to show love and compassion. However, Jesus did love them and hoped that they would be transformed by his love for them.

It's time for Christians to stop hating and start loving. It is the greatest challenge any of us will ever undertake.