What is amazing about this command of Jesus’ about love are the words “as I have loved you.” Jesus had just taken love to a new depth by making himself a servant and washing the feet of the very ones he knew would abandon him in his darkest hour. He even served the one who would betray him! He was about to take love even deeper by willingly laying down his life for them at the cross.

Jesus reveals this supernatural kind of love and then calls you to love like him. The way he loves you is covenantal. Even though you don’t meet his desires, he loves you. His love lays down its demand and expectations, moves toward you, and is willing to suffer for your joy all while knowing you will never deserve it.

The essence of Christian love is this: the overflow of your joy in God gladly meets the needs of another. As you treasure God’s love for you, that satisfaction will spill out to pursue the joy of others, even when it’s costly or requires self-denial. During this season of Lent, would you consider who God has placed in your path to love as he loved you. His relentless love and boundless grace will fuel your love.

Heavenly Father, I don’t want to just see the way that you love me, I want to share the power of your love and feel its power working through me. Show me who needs to be loved. Give me joy in you so that I might have the strength to be willing to lay down what I need to lay down in order to pursue their joy in you.