May 18, 2025 Sermon Notes

As I Have Loved You: Living the New Command (John 13:31–35)

Easter was just weeks ago, but now life feels ordinary. Is the resurrection wonder still truly alive in your heart? It's tough, isn't it? The weight of life, our brokenness – they make us forget that joy. The mud on our boots can feel heavier than the mountaintop promise. So how do we keep living for Him, truly reflecting Jesus?

John 13 gives the answer: Jesus' final, vital command. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." The revolutionary newness? It's the standard: "As I have loved you." He calls us to love with His very own selfless love. His life is our pattern, our model.

Think about a ship in a storm. It needs its compass to stay on course. In the same way, we need a compass. Our compass is the love we have received from Christ. By remembering it, by looking towards it, we can find our direction and move forward as His true disciples.

What does this divine love look like lived out? It's humble, serving love—like Jesus washing feet. It's forgiving love—like Him towards Judas, enabling us to offer grace. It's restoring love—like reinstating Peter, a love that never gives up. We can't love like this alone. The power comes from Christ living in us! When we surrender, the Holy Spirit empowers us to love beyond our strength.

We are called to be "little Christs," reflecting Jesus daily. Imagine if each of us chose just one person this week... and intentionally loved them with this humble, forgiving, restoring love, empowered by Him? One act, one moment of grace, mirroring His love received, can bring a little bit of heaven into an ordinary day. Go forth, church, overflow with His love, loving others as He loved us. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.