True North
Something that has changed the course of history that you might over look is the compass. Most historians believe that it was invented by Chinese explorers in the 11th century but certainly by the 12th century it was a game changer for navigation and exploration.
This small elongated needle connected to the magnetic poles may seem small but the power of knowing true north revolutionized exploration. So is true for us when determining the direction of our lives. Jesus gave us a clear directive in John 13 to love others as he has loved us. This, he says, will be our testimony to the world that we are of him.
Jesus is saying here that the true north of our life should be authentic, Christ-like love. The direction of our lives should be pointed at loving others as Jesus loved!
Jesus love gives us clear direction. “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus says not just to love but to love as HE DOES. This is like saying not just to play basketball but to play basketball like Lebron James. This distinguishes the life of love we lead from the way our culture defines love.
So how did Jesus love? First we see Jesus loved sacrificially. Jesus would repeat this thought just a few moments later in John 15:12-13, “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.”
Jesus sacrificed for us. He gave up Heaven and chose death so we could be set free from sin and shame. If we are to love like Jesus it will most certainly require sacrifice from us. Loving like Jesus will be worth it, but it won’t be free!
I also see that Christ-Like love is humble. In Philippians 2 Paul reminds us that Jesus humbled himself on our behalf. Even in this passage we just read Jesus has just finished washing his disciples feet! This authentic, humble, real love is something our culture is so desperate for. In a world full of influencers what would it look like to have some people who are truly real!
Jesus’ continued in John 13, not only directing us with his instruction to love but telling us it is his love that will connect us to each other. Not only is Jesus’ love confirmation to those in the family of God of our own salvation but it is a witness to the world around us.
Jesus is saying that we should treat each other with noticeable honor and love. It should stand out the way we treat people around us. We have the power to do this because of our connection to the source of love (Jesus himself).
Even tho before Christ we were “children under wrath” (Eph 2:3), we are now called to live in a way that we are known by our love for one another. In a divided world, what might God do with a united Church. In a world of anger and malice, what would happen if our churches were full of people of peace and love? What might shift if the compass of our life was aligned to the true north of Christ-Like love?
