We Are Called to Love (Yes, Even The Most Difficult People)

We meet them all the time, whether it’s the person who cut us off in traffic or a difficult coworker. We get the urge to give them a piece of our mind, tell them how we really feel. And sometimes, (myself included) we do.

But what if instead of reacting to others in anger, our first reaction was to show them love instead?

Love Like Jesus

You Are Called, You Are Loved

Jesus was the epitome of love. We see many examples of His love for us, not only in His sacrifice on the Cross but in His daily life on earth.

John 13:34-35 (NIV) states: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus not only showed love, but He commanded it. As Christians, in our world filled with hate, it is our job to show others the love that Christ has for us. We may be the only example of Christ’s love that people experience.

Jesus came to earth in human form to die for our sins. He did it because of love despite all our sinful ways and despite those who rejected His teachings. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

In difficult moments of conflict, how can we respond in love?

Throughout the Bible, we read of many other stories of Jesus’ love. In Mark 5, we learn of the story of Jairus, a synagogue leader who came to Jesus for his daughter to be healed.

We read many stories throughout the five Gospels in the New Testament that during Jesus’ time on earth, He often clashed with Pharisees and synagogue leaders.

Yet, even though Jairus was a synagogue leader, Jesus didn’t turn him away when he asked for his daughter to be healed.

How many of us would turn our enemies away if they come to us for help in a desperate time?

Nicodemus was one of the more well-known Pharisees in the Bible. He was also a member of the Jewish ruling council.

We read of his story in John 3 where he visited Jesus at night to ask him questions. Jesus did not turn him away but instead took the time to explain and teach Nicodemus on how one can be saved and born again.

He explained the love of God to Nicodemus in John 3:16 (NIV) when He said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

We later learn that Nicodemus was present and helped with Jesus’ burial in John 19.

One of the stories that has had the most profound impact on me is the story of Judas’ arrival with the soldiers to have Jesus arrested in Matthew 26. When the soldiers came with Judas and Judas greets Jesus with a kiss, in verse 50 (NIV) it states that “Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

I often pondered on this one passage of scripture in awe of Jesus’ love when confronted with the deepest betrayal by His disciple.

Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, and yet He continuously showed Judas love.

We are called to love our enemies. Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:44 (KJV), “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

As we have experienced Jesus’ unfailing love for us, let us show love to others.

We ought to mirror Jesus’ love for people as we are called to be Christ-like, to be Jesus’ hands and feet on the earth.

Showing love to people can change them and it takes greater strength to show love than to display hatred and anger.

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