Some things are so important they need to be repeated. As Jesus talks with his disciples on the night before he dies, he shares deeply about many vital, life-changing things. If you were to read chapters 13-17 in one sitting (or listen, as the disciples did), it’s clear that this extraordinary teaching revolves around a few simple themes and commands, which get shared repeatedly in slightly different ways: the presence of Jesus, the gift of the Spirit, boldness in prayer, not to fear the world or the future, and, here, the primacy of love.
Love one another.
Arguably the most basic, foundational command of all. And yet, it’s so easy to forget, to overcomplicate. Jesus knows this, he knows our frailty and forgetfulness, so he returns to this theme once more.
He reminds them that love is not an abstract emotion, it is primarily communicated through example: ‘Love each other as I have loved you.’ The disciples have just received an illustration of this with the foot-washing episode – this time, however, Jesus goes further: (v13) ‘Greater love has no-one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’
As we read this famous verse today, we know how the story unfolds from this point; the disciples did not, although they were about to find out. In the next 24 hours they were to see a literal embodiment of this love, as Jesus gave himself for them – and for us – on the cross.
Nowadays we tend to soften this teaching, translating ‘laying down our lives’ into any form of sacrificial service – which is fine, we can live this command in figurative terms. But it’s important not to lose the visceral power of what Jesus is saying, and to remind ourselves that not every Christian gets to interpret this saying figuratively. Today, we can pray for those whose laying down of life is a daily threat, or even reality.
As we absorb the sheer beauty and power of this simple command, let’s also remember that this kind of love does not ‘come from nowhere’ – we receive it from the Lord. The Trinity is a community of love – as Jesus reminds his friends (vv9-10): the Father loves the Son, the Son loves them. To be a follower of Jesus is to be drawn into this eternal community of divine love. This love enables us to be obedient to this command to self-giving love.
As we begin this week, let’s open our hearts again to receive this gift of divine love. And may that gift take root and flourish, enabling us to love each other, as Jesus has loved us. Amen.