There is no greater love than Jesus' love for us – he laid down his life for his friends. Jesus accepted his fate of crucifixion so that God's Fatherly love could be shown clearly, and so that just as clearly, the world's violence could be called out. And on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, to affirm that in the end, love wins and it is violence that will die. But in the meantime, Jesus desired that his disciples experience joy, even in the face of intense persecution. And so, he gave his disciples a commandment designed to enable them to live in truth and in love with people of like mind and like mission – fellow soldiers in the foxhole, fighting AGAINST violence in the battle for the soul. And Jesus gave his disciples a valuable perspective – if they persecuted me, they will for sure persecute you – don't take it personally!
We recognize that our society is drifting away from its Christian roots, and that the level of disdain, if not hatred, for Christianity is growing. So Jesus calls us not to ADD to that hatred for each other, but to love one another. We are to VALUE all those who bear the name of Jesus with us, recognizing them as fellow adopted children of the same heavenly Father. Just as we are to VALUE, and anticipate with joy, the world to COME – the world without violence that we will share together.
Gracious God, help us to love one another as Jesus loved us. Remind us frequently in the face of hatred from the world, that we share the joy of our risen Saviour, Jesus Christ, in his name. Amen.