Loving One Another
“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.” John 13: 33-34
“Little children.” These words surprised me. Why would Jesus refer to his disciples as children? These were men he had stood beside, eaten with, and prayed with. Now He is calling them children! He had a purpose in doing that. He wanted to guide them, to give them instructions to continue without Him. But He wanted to give them something to live for, a future goal.
As a 6th grade writing teacher, I look at children’s faces all day, every day. I see their eagerness, their need to please. I hear their dreams and fears. What can I give them to face an uncertain future? Simple instructions, ones they can remember when they leave me.
“Love one another”. When we love each other, we are following Jesus’s simple instruction. This was a new commandment. It is not a “Thou shall not….”. It is a ‘you should’. It means you should listen to each other. It means you should support each other’s dreams and goals. It means you should care for each other. Jesus was telling his disciples to love each other. They were going to need all the love they could muster for their uncertain future. As our church faces changes and the unknown, we need to listen, support, and care what happens to each other. Our ultimate goal is love.
Heavenly Father, be with us in our daily life. Help us to love one another. As we strive for our goals, let us look to the Bible for guidance and each other for support. Thank you for giving us opportunities to show love each day. Amen.