“Love One Another”

As we approach the glory of Easter, we first need to pass through the horror of Jesus sacrificing his life for each one of us. Before he did so, he said something very clear and direct, leaving no room for guessing as to what he meant:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13

Jesus expects us to love one another as he loves us. His love is unconditional and, to the extreme, sacrificial. Yet, we can’t even get close to this. We live in a time where the politicians, regardless of party, constantly sling personal mud at each other. We are junkies for reality shows that are centered around discord and fighting. The negatives around us far outweigh the positives.

Is this love — or anything remotely close to it?

Change starts at home, with each one of us. Maybe as Easter approaches and we pass through the ultimate act of love that Jesus made for us, we should look inward at our truth mirror. Do we love like Jesus loves? OK, we have not laid down our life for anyone but are we at least civil to others? Do we forgive as we want to be forgiven?

The glory of Easter will be superficial in our lives unless we start walking down the “love” path. What better guide than Jesus.