April Monday:

Jesus: "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35 Let’s look at this in two parts.

Part 1: God’s command to love is nothing new. But the specific word used here implies a freshness, a new and different approach to the old law. The Old Testament taught that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. But the fresh approach Jesus taught was that we should love our neighbors more than we love ourselves, better than we love ourselves. Jesus took the love of our fellows over the top! The command wasn’t new, but the EXTENT was fresh and new.

Part 2: While riding with a musician, we passed a music store advertising Fender guitars. The reversed “F” of the Fender logo is quite distinctive, and he commented, “What a great logo—I’d know it anywhere!”

Groups of people often adopt a logo, a sign or a flag, so that when anyone sees that sign, they’ll know it points to a specific group and the principles for which that group stands. Christ’s followers wanted such an image, a sign they could place on buildings or possessions, something to carry with them. Of course the danger here is that when you adopt an image that represents God, people will begin to bow to the image. Hebrew law forbids making any kind of image that represents God for just such a reason.

Instead, Jesus gave them a new, fresh way. He planned for the new community of believers to grow by attraction. When people saw how much everyone in the new community loved and cared for one another, they would want to be a part of it. From that love, everyone would then learn about Jesus, His sacrifice for our forgiveness, and His promise of eternal life. When people saw this love, you wouldn’t have to talk them into joining. In fact, it would be hard to keep them away!

They will know we are Christians by our love!

Norton Lawellin

Extra credit:

Part 3: How curious it is that nowadays the Christian logo is a cross, a cruel means of Roman execution. That people bow down to this instrument of torture is at best confusing, and at worst absurd. I know, people will tell you that the cross points to Jesus, but just think about it for a minute and let me know—there are churches without crosses…

Part 4: When people visit your church, do they experience the love of an Acts 2 community, or do they see separation, bickering and infighting? How is your church doing? Is it growing or declining? You can’t fake the kind of love taught by Jesus—only the real thing shines as the light of the world!