As we’ve been seeing in the gospel of John, we have a biblical responsibility to love one another in a self-sacrificing, cross-reflecting, Christ-exalting manner.
Jesus, after washing his disciples feet turns to his disciples and says, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” Then, a few moments later, he gives them a new commandment. A command not just to love one another as themselves, but to love one another just as Christ has loved them. We are love as Christ has loved, which is sacrificially.
As recipients of God’s love in Christ Jesus, we are now called and empowered by God to display such love. What a lofty command!
I’m a firm believer that if we want to love in this way, then we have to first be good listeners. We have to know one another. In order to effectively wash someones feet, you have to be able to see the dirt on their feet. Similarly, in order to effectively love one another, you have to first get to know one another. We need to become more familiar with the struggles of our neighbor so that we can better serve our neighbor.
Right now our African American neighbors are hurting, and have been for a while. So, rather than debate, I strongly encourage you to listen. If you haven’t already, pick up your phone and begin to have conversations with your black neighbors. Love and serve them well!
Below is a link to a conversation I had with a friend of mine this week. In it, I explained to him that Harbor Community Church is currently a predominately white church that is immersed in a culturally diverse area. So, I wanted him to explain to us what life has been like for him as a black male in Mobile, Alabama. This conversation has served me well, and I think there’s quite a bit of application that we can pull from it.
I pray this is edifying for you; and I pray the Lord blesses you as you seek to love your neighbors well in this trying time!
May you heart remain tender and your mind remain humble. May you be sympathetic. May you be quick to hear and slow to speak. May you repay no one evil for evil or reviling for reviling. May you keep your tongues from evil and your thumbs from tweeting deceit. May you seek, pursue, and pray for peace wholeheartedly.