“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” — John 13:34
How many times, I wonder, has the answer to my struggles simply been to love like Jesus. Life throws us no shortage of challenges and disagreements—especially in a world that can feel divided along every fault line, from politics to personal beliefs. And yet, through it all, the command remains simple and clear. Jesus, in His last moments with His disciples, offered this timeless answer: love one another as I have loved you.
Sometimes I imagine a whimsical project I’d like to set up in retirement—an “Answer Stand,” much like a drive-by coffee stand. For a nickel, I’d hand out scraps of paper, each with the same answer: Love like Jesus. The sign overhead would flash, “Answers to Anything—One Nickel.” I’d sit there all day, spreading this one simple but profound solution to everyone who stopped by. Maybe one day I’d even put this answer into vending machines, ready for anyone who needs it. Just drop a nickel, get a note: Love like Jesus!
Joking aside, there’s a bit of truth in it. The answer to healing friendships, weathering misunderstandings, and building bridges in divided times often boils down to this same message. This Sunday, Pastor Mark is diving deep into that kind of love—the kind that doesn’t waver in the face of political differences, mistakes, or even broken trust. It’s the magical cure for friendships that might otherwise falter.
So, this week, let’s each be reminded of this command that’s both old and new. Let’s love as He did, seeing others with compassion, humility, and grace. Join us, and let’s learn together what it means to truly love like Jesus.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White