John 15:12,17 “’12 This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.’”

Twice in this chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus gives us a command to love one another. Why did He command this? Was it because He knew we would not choose to love each other? Well, let me ask you this. Is it hard to love others? Don’t answer that.

I think we can learn a lot from our children on this subject. They know when someone loves them. They can just tell. They feel safe. They want to be with that person. They are drawn to them. I think that is exactly why children ran to Jesus and why He used them as illustrations of faith.

FOLLOWING ORDERS

Back to the verse. Twice He commands “that you love one another.” I hate being commanded to do anything. I don’t mind being asked. But commanded, well that’s a whole different thing. Why is that? We are all stubborn about wanting to control our own actions. We need to understand what Jesus was expecting from us.

The words “commandment” and “command” really stress the end result of the action. So the purpose of Jesus “commanding” us is not to control us, but instead to produce love in us and through us. He wants to use us to love others for Him. He, in fact, will love them through us. So as we follow His orders to love one another we are in fact just being His vessels through which He loves us.

TEACHING MOMENT

Now back to your kids. How can you teach them to love one another. Just like Jesus. We can love others through them. Love their friends. By doing this we are teaching them how to love one another. Won’t you let Jesus command you to love one another so you can show your children how to love one another? Just be obedient.