Last winter, I was reminded once again that Scripture never stops speaking. Our small group delved into the Immerse Bible: Beginnings and Kings. Reading through the Bible is not a new experience for me. In fact, I recently completed it a second time. Having received my Master of Divinity in 1993, I have studied scripture personally and professionally for decades now. But, the Immerse Bible was an enlightening experience as its format took me back to a “story” format. There are no chapter or verse markers. And, as I read the Old Testament again, so much stood out for me that didn’t in previous studies. The themes of welcoming the foreigner, and the counter-cultural ways in which we should treat each other, spoke to me in verses that I had previously glossed over. The more I come back to these passages, the more I see how much we, as the church, still have to learn about loving others. The question is: How will we respond?

Learning From the Old Testament Texts

As I read through the Old Testament narratives, I couldn’t help but see a repetitive conclusion: God’s people are defined by how they treat one another. In addition, showing hospitality to others (even enemies) becomes a frequent point of exhortation.

For example, Leviticus 19 lists a slew of commands to the Israelites as they form a nation. The beginning of this section marks the theme of these commands. They reflect God’s Holiness.

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:1-2. God’s holiness shows through God’s people in both the public moments and the more private ones. As a professor of mine once wisely quipped, “There is no such thing as “private” sin”. God knew the ways we would try to reach for power over one another.

It’s no wonder that this passage includes commands to leave the edges of the field for the others to glean, not hold onto someone’s pay, love foreigners as self, and keep the economic system fair. Human nature longs for control. Taking advantage of a neighbor is not trusting in God’s provision. These exhortations speak to us today. We cannot forget what is repeated throughout these commands and in other texts: I am the Lord your God. Loving others in such tangible ways demonstrates our trust in God.

My church has been leaning into these verses in the last year. We engage with others who are struggling in various capacities through designated ministries. We participate in a network of  churches that share resources of both skilled people and items in order to show love tangibly. We share out of what we have. In addition, we are about to begin hosting a homeless shelter for families. We will provide a refuge in space and community. The plan includes our meal together to develop into a community sharing of the bread (and of course other goodies.) There is no “us” vs “them” for God’s people. We love others as God loves us. And we share out of what God gives to us.

Jesus Emphasized Loving Others

The Kingdom ushered in by Jesus not only emphasized the way love looks but made it possible to love others as God loves us.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matt 5:44-46)

Jesus was creating the picture of image bearers. Many other people groups created their own Gods to worship. Even Israel tried it. When you do that, the ability to bear its likeness is manageable. But it’s not Holy. “Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt 5:47-48)

Our God originates from Heaven and pursues us at all costs in order to infuse us with that which is out of this world. It’s uncomfortable for sure and leaves us with muscle aches. It’s downright counter-human. But, in the midst of the process, we radiate Holiness.

The Significance of Practicing Holy Love

So, what do Jesus’ words say about implementing this kind of radical love when we live in an “us’ vs “them” culture? Loving others becomes challenging. We are connected by our Creator  and  in whose image we bear. However, acknowledging that we need others in our space to broaden our understanding of God’s character may not come naturally. Human nature’s tendency to reach for comfortable and self gratified places makes sharing space challenging. Sometimes, it’s downright difficult.

But we cannot afford to avoid where God leads us. We are transformed by following the path that liberates us from human nature. When we love as Jesus loved us, we are radiating Holiness. When we love as God commands throughout the Old Testament, we point others to “I am.”

Eric Minton sums up this Biblical concept of love: “When we make space for people who reject us, we are repairing the world. When we break bread and pour wine with people who sold us out for political reasons, we are repairing the world. When we welcome people unequivocally who have been alienated, slandered, abandoned and yelled at for not keeping their eyes on the ball, we are repairing the world not just for them, but for the rejected, slandered, abandoned and yelled-at tee-baller inside of all of us.”

Embracing A Benediction to Love

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Jesus’ placement of this “love” passage in his final discourse to his disciples is compelling. In fitting with ancient tradition, he leaves them with key information that is significant as he will no longer be teaching them here on earth. John leaves out specific ethical instructions but rather leaves the example set by Jesus washing feet and his words about love to speak for themselves. They serve as an exhortation and a benediction morphed into one.

Much is said about what the “church” should be doing to recapture it’s zeal. Perhaps we need to go back and look again at what God has been saying all along. There is something about holiness intersecting earth through us that a broken world is seeking. Scripture is still speaking about it; perhaps we should listen.

There is no “us” vs “them” for God's people. We love others as God loves us. And we share out of what God gives to us. Click To Tweet