This morning, I had a great meeting with some fellow Hawaii Kai pastors. There are plenty of theological points we could disagree on, but there are two things we’re absolutely united on: our love for Jesus and our desire to see the people in our community saved by him. What saddens me is how rare it is for Christian leaders to come together like that, even on a small island like ours. One of the things we prayed together was John 13:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
For many people, this verse falls into the category of Church-Lady “isn’t that special” kind of sayings that you stitch onto a quilt and give to newlyweds, who then toss it into the back of the closet and forget about it until they move. But what if Jesus really meant what he said? And what if he carefully chose who he said it to?
The scene is the Last Supper. Jesus has gathered his twelve disciples, then men who would lead the church Jesus left behind. He’s holding his last leadership seminar, training these clueless guys in how to effectively shepherd the flock. And one of the most important precepts he gives them for leading the church is to love each other.
Jesus knows that leaders, being leaders, will be tempted to blaze their own trail apart from the other leaders he sets in place. They can build their own little castles, but only through their love for Jesus and each other can they truly expand God’s kingdom in the world.