Hi
Hi Friends! Before you begin reading, I want to draw your attention to a special question included at the end of today’s post. Be blessed!
I’m sure you are all familiar with the phrase, prove it. It’s possible that you’ve been asked to do this very thing; prove it that is. This phrase is commonly offered by skeptics who desire evidence regarding a claim or statement that has been made.
It’s natural to react immediately to the challenge to prove something, but it’s usually wiser to wait and respond after thoughtful consideration. And sometimes the best response is actually no response at all.
If you’ve read or studied the gospels to any degree, then you are aware that Jesus was continually confronted with the demand to prove His identity.
He was tempted to prove it by the devil in the desert, the religious leaders in the temple, the crowds, skeptics, scoffers, unbelieving family members, and even doubting disciples.
But Jesus did nothing apart from His Father’s will. Secure in His identity as a beloved Son, He was not provoked to exert His authority. He understood His mission from God was never intended for the primary purpose of displaying power, or even performing miracles, but far more significantly, of demonstrating love.
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)
It’s one thing to talk the talk; it’s altogether different to walk the walk. And Jesus embodied both of these descriptions perfectly throughout His lifetime, especially in the final week leading to His death. In everything He did and said, He consistently and continually proclaimed and demonstrated the reality of God’s love.
Jesus displayed love by healing the sick, showing compassion, demonstrating mercy, befriending outcasts, eating with sinners, crying with friends, raising the dead, forgiving His enemies. And the ultimate outpouring of His love was revealed through His sacrificial death on the cross.
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
1 John 4:10 (NLT)
It doesn’t require a whole lot of effort to love people who are easy to love and who love you in return. If we’re honest, I think we would all agree that these are the individuals we are drawn to. It’s normal to respond to those who both initiate and reciprocate love. In stark contrast, however, is the radical, perfect love of God made visible through Jesus; most clearly evidenced in the final days of his life as He died for not only those who loved Him, but also for those who rejected Him.
Love in an Upper Room
The night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He met together with His friends in a private room to share an intimate meal. This information could potentially be reduced to a minor detail. But that’s only before considering that Jesus actually planned this gathering with the full knowledge that it would be His last meal with His disciples, knowing the next day would be marked as the absolute worst, the final day of His life. In truth, by the end of the evening, one friend would betray him, another deny him, and the remainder would abandon Him, leaving Him completely alone in His darkest hour.
As an aside, I honestly can’t fathom hosting a dinner, knowing it would be the evening before I would be murdered, but that’s exactly what Jesus did, and that’s what makes what was about to happen next so much more amazing!
Love on Display
On this historic night, Jesus led His friends in the traditional Passover meal. This wasn’t the first time they had celebrated this remembrance together; however, it would be their last. And because of this, Jesus seized this final opportunity to reveal to His disciples, by way of symbolism, further details regarding His impending death.
It’s hard to imagine how the disciples may have responded to the overload of confusing and disturbing information they had received. What could Jesus have possibly meant by saying His body was in fact the bread they broke together? Or that the wine they just shared was actually His blood? But before they would ever have a chance to ask any of these potential questions, Jesus got up from the table, grabbed a basin of water and a towel, and began washing the feet of every disciple present, including His betrayer.
And to conclude this evening, Jesus shared two final pieces of critical information that His friends would need to know. First, He would be leaving them. And second, He was giving them something new.
Love Made New
I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
John 13:34 (NLT)
Everything the disciples had seen, heard, and learned from Jesus, had now been brilliantly summed up in one single, beautiful commandment: Love one another.
From this time forward, it would be this love that would serve as the distinguishing mark for all true followers of Jesus.
And further, it would be this love that would empower every disciple of Jesus with evidence for their mission.
Finally, it would be this same unconditional, demonstrative love that would continue to provide proof to hurting, hopeless, and desperate people in every generation as it does today.
In closing, the command to love is not an option; rather it is the mission for every Christ-follower. And quite frankly, this would be altogether impossible if it weren’t for the fact that it is actually Jesus that does the loving through us.
Whenever we find ourselves inadequate or incapable of love, we must remember we are not the source; rather, we are the channels of God’s love. And further, we are not called to generate God’s love, but to imitate His love.
By embracing these foundational truths, we are empowered to live in a loving relationship with one another, proving to the world that we have received God’s love and are indeed His disciples.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35 (NLT)
God bless you my friends!
For Reflection
- Begin by prayerfully asking God to speak to you in a real and personal way.
- Next, take a few moments to write down as many descriptive words that you can think of that form your definition of love.
- Now, review your list of words underlining any that are especially meaningful to you and consider why that is.
- Read John 13:34 & 35.
- Why do you think Jesus instituted a new covenant?
- Underline the three references to “one another.”
- Close in prayer, asking God to use you as a representative of His love to others.
Extend grace to others! If you’ve been encouraged, strengthened, or edified by this week’s post, please consider sharing Grace Notes For You with a friend.
Special Question for this Week
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO WRITE!
Friends, I value your input to the following question:
Is there a memorable time when you’ve experienced or witnessed the proof of love in action?
Please post a comment on my “Proof of Love” Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092036573722. I look forward to reading your posts and mutual encouragement as we share our stories.
I remember a time when a friend of mine, after encountering a homeless person while on a walk, went home to get a blanket to bring back for him since it was cold outside. Now that was demonstrating love in action – not only sharing the love of Christ, but doing something tangible!
Oh how I thank the Lord for His faitfulness toward me! There have been numerous times when precious friends have reached out to me and given me a particular word, scripture, encouragement or prayer, and it was always exactly what I needed. One time, at women’s prayer, our pastor’s wife asked us to turn to one of our sisters and say one word that the Lord means to us. I quickly said the word “support” and thought, “oh my, I could have said any number of beautiful words like faithful, healer, savior and so many more”. But that week, the word “support” showed up in my Bible reading, sermons, Christian television and out of the mouths of friends and I knew that was no mistake. To this day, Jesus Christ is my Support as He holds me in His loving arms through His precious people.I thank and praise Him.