When I was a young man there was a song that became popular on the secular radio from a band by the name of Foreigner. The song was titled “I want to know what love is”. The song reached #1 on the charts in both the U.S and Great Britain becoming the biggest hit that Foreigner ever had. We human beings have this inner desire to be accepted and loved. Everyone wants to be loved!! The song resonated with the masses because we all want to know what love is……

Love is a major theme in the life of Jesus Christ and for all those who would follow Him as a disciple.

John 13:35 “ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The sign of being a disciple of Jesus is found in the Love that they have for each other. This love that Jesus is talking about is different than the love that Foreigner sang about. It is not a self-satisfying love. The love that Jesus is referring to is a love that is beyond our human comprehension. Jesus’ disciples had some difficulty understanding this new idea of Love that Jesus was demonstrating. The love that He was displaying was a love that put others first, it was self-sacrificing. It was the Love of God!! There was a point during the ministry of Christ that some of His disciples wanted to be granted places of honor on His right and left. They were seeking positions of power and authority. This naturally made the others angry but Jesus responded by explaining that the way of the Kingdom was opposite from the way of the world, in other words if you want to go up in the Kingdom you have to humble yourself, in order to receive in the Kingdom you first have to give. The Kingdom way is opposite of the ways of the world. As a disciple of Jesus, we are to be identified by the love we have for each other. It is the Kingdom way……to love……not because of but in spite of. In spite of our failures, in spite of our short comings, in spite of not deserving it or being worthy of it God has given us His love and we are called to love each other. The same way that Christ loved/loves us. Without reservation!!!!!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to love others as You love me. Unconditionally. In Jesus Name. Amen.