Rooted in love: Foundations of Love

Scripture

John 13:34-35 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Reflection

At the heart of our faith lies a simple yet profound command—to love. This isn’t just any love; it’s a love modeled after Christ’s own, a love that breaks down barriers and transcends divisions. In a world where differences can feel like obstacles, Jesus calls us to build a community that reflects His inclusive and sacrificial love.

Imagine a world where love becomes the foundation of every interaction—a love that doesn’t shy away from those who are different, a love that reaches across divides, and a love that actively seeks to understand and embrace. This is the kind of love Jesus commands. It’s not just a feeling; it’s an action, a commitment to embody the love that He first showed us.

Story

A powerful example of this kind of love is seen in the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Both men embodied sacrificial love in their fight for justice and equality, deeply inspired by their Christian faith.

Dr. King’s vision of the ‘beloved community’—a society where love and justice prevail over hatred and prejudice—reflects this command to love beyond barriers. In 1963, during his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, he called for a future where people of all races could join hands in unity. Even when faced with violence, threats, and imprisonment, he chose love over retaliation, embodying Christ’s call to reconcile rather than divide.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian during the Nazi era, also lived out this radical love. As he saw his nation falling under the shadow of evil, he joined the Confessing Church, standing against the oppressive regime. Bonhoeffer’s commitment to love meant speaking truth to power and risking his own safety for the sake of others. In his book The Cost of Discipleship, he writes about “costly grace,” which requires action and sacrifice. His love for his fellow human beings was not passive; it demanded that he act courageously, even when it led to his imprisonment and ultimate death.

Application

Reflect on how love has shaped your life. What barriers do you encounter that prevent you from extending love fully? How can we, as a church and as individuals, live out this command to love in practical, transformative ways that reach beyond our comfort zones?

Let’s remember that love, as Dr. King and Bonhoeffer demonstrated, has the power to bridge divides, challenge injustice, and transform communities.