SACRIFICIAL LOVE

DO YOU CARE? John 13:2-12,31-38, “A new commandl I give you: Love one another.m 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.” (John 13: 34-35) The disciples and Jesus were sitting and talking together, before Jesus’ Upper Room Discourse, where He casually spoke to them about what was coming. (ch. 13-17) This would be His final talk with His deciples before going to the cross. As He is speaking He makes sure He mentions the need for Christians to love one another (13:34-35; 15:12, 17). Of which before that day, He had set the example by modelling His words and then confirming them in His speach In doing so, He had placed Himself in a place of being a simple servantwiling to bow down before the disciples to wash their feet. (13:2-12). As He did these He explained to them what He was doing and why. He said He was setting an example for them to be also humble in giving sacrifical service.(vv. 12-17). Christ really brought this message home to the disciples when He said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (15:13). What powerful words! Which He carries out not many hours after setting the example. When He did just that, He willingly went to the cross and paid the penilty for the sin of the world to take away their sins if only they would give their lives to Him by believing in Him. Because of His sacrificial love, we know He can help us sacrificially love others, those who are easy to love and those who are not. There are many valuable things in this world, somethings mean a lot to some people, but other things mean more to someone else. But relly things are just things, it does not matter if they are worth a lot of money or not. But when something means a lot to you, you handle it with care. To some it may be their car, to others an heirloom passed don from generation to generation. But in our scriput today, Jesus points out very clearly what means the most to Him, as in He was willing to die for them. If you are willing to run into your burning home to rescue a material possetion, are willing to go, and reach a lost and dying world, from going to the burning pits of hell? My goosd christian friends, We are to love and care for others because Christ demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were still sinners He died for us. In our verses for today, Jesus gave His disciples a command that requires our careful attention, ot says “A new command I give you: "Love one another", LOVE ONE ANOTHER" is that a hard command? You may not think fo, but finish the verse, it goes on, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” "Christ loved you enough to die for you" are you prepared to do that? So, Why did Christ call it a new command? Because of the way Jesus loved people and was asking those who are His disciples to do ot the same way. The new command He was giving them wasn’t careless or casual type of love, no it was an intention act of love, precious, sacrificial in a way that would spell out very clearly that the giver of the gift loved the object of that love. This kind of love would demand change, a change that would lead to how the disciples followed, what was involved was self-denial, and even death for the disciples who were true discoples. Friends, I believe this time is here now and is ciming even stronger in the future as we draw close and closer to the day of Christs return in the clouds, and to the great day, of Christs second coming to this earth. This kinfd of care and loving one another, is the kind of care and love that is going to carry many through these times. It will be be how we will survive in difficult times in this hostile world. Jesus added this to affirm in their hearts and minds He was serious about what He was saying. He said, “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (v. 35). As we read these words that Jesus left with all of those who claim to be christian, we need to carefully and sacrificially learn to love others—and be reflecting the love that Jesus showed us. To me, the love He showed me is precious and priceless, I don't know any one else who would be willing to die for me.I would like to believe O would be willing to die for someone, but if it came right down to it, I wonder if I would be willing? Maybe for my wife or for my children, for my best friend, I'm not sure, but I will continure to work rtowards that goal as long as I am alive. You may ask, first why do we not want to show that kind of love to others, well for me it is because I believe that deep down inside no body really wants to die. I say, i am ready to have Jesus come and take me home to heaven, but I want to walk alive into His presents because I do not want to physically die. So I keep asling myself this question, what can help me love others in way Christ loved me? A way that will show them a reflection of the love Jesus revealed to His disciples? Dear Jesus, loving and caring Saviour, thank You for loving me with a sacrificial love Lord, I need your help in loving others the same way you love me. It is in your name I pray, AMEN.