What comes to mind when you think of the word love? Maybe you immediately think of the people in your life whom you love. Maybe you think of a special date like Valentine’s day or an anniversary. Perhaps you think of something kind someone has done for you that made you feel loved. So many different things come to mind when we think of the word love, and there are many different ways the world defines love. In a world with so many definitions of love, it is important to turn to Scripture to understand how God defines love. As we dive into God’s definition of love, we will find His definition is quite different from the world’s.
Jesus expanded His disciples’ definition of love in John 15. As He was teaching them one day, knowing that His death was imminent, He wanted them to know how much He loved them, and He wanted them to show His love to others. First, He declared His love for them. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love” (John 15:9). He loved them deeply. After declaring His love for them, He taught, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you” (verse 12). Next, He explained what love is. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (verse 13). This was a profound statement from Jesus because He knew what was coming. He knew He was about to show them the greatest love they would ever experience. He would show them that love meant sacrifice when He laid down His life for them and the rest of the world to save them from their sins. He finished the conversation about love by saying one more time, “This is my command: Love each other” (verse 17). Now, when something in Scripture is repeated, this is something we are to pay attention to. It is repeated because it is important to remember. Jesus wanted His disciples and future followers, us, to get this command to love right.
As Jesus taught His disciples about love, He explained what God’s love is and what kind of love He wanted His followers to emulate: sacrificial love. The greatest love possible is to lay your life down for others. This love, at its core, is sacrificial. This is the love that you and I are called to. We are called to sacrifice. We are called to love and serve others, just as Jesus loved sacrificially.
My friend, it is time for you and me to take this call to love sacrificially seriously. It’s time to ask the question, “What can I do to help?” It is time to serve. So let’s get this command from Jesus right. Don’t you want to get this right?
What is one way you can serve someone today? Maybe you can ask your spouse, “What can I do to help you today?” Maybe your neighbor is struggling and could use a meal for their family. Maybe your coworker is having a difficult week and could use some encouragement. So choose today to serve out of the love you have for the people God has placed in your life.
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other."
