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“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34–35, LSB

Did you notice that Jesus didn’t say we would be known for our friendliness or niceness? We hear nothing about being polite or making people feel good by not addressing anything that may be uncomfortable, but we do hear about love. The love He is speaking of is a love in which true friendship can grow, and great intimacy is developed. This love is called, in Greek, “Agape.” This love is more than just a brotherly love or sisterly love, which is in Greek, “Phileo.” It is also better than the erotic love that many people think is “true love,” which in Greek is “Eros.” Some would describe “Agape” as the love of God, which is the love that God holds for us because it is an abiding affection and a loyalty for one another. It is a love that would cause Jesus to go to the Cross for us all in order that our sins could be redeemed. It is such a deep abiding love that builds loyalty for one another so even if there is disagreement, it still abides. This is the love that we are called to have for one another as followers of Christ. A love within our community that develops deep, abiding friendships and lasting relationships. A love that is not easily disturbed and almost impossible to break. Only almost, because our sin too often gets in the way, but when God is in the center, it is unbreakable. This is the love which is above all others, and it is the love our Lord holds for us and is where we may find our peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.