Why We Are Called to Love One Another?

 The call to love one another, as commanded in John 13:34, is rooted in the profound, sacrificial love Jesus demonstrated on the cross. In Matthew 27:40, the mockers taunted Jesus, saying, “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe.” They wrongly believed His power was limited because He remained crucified. Yet, it wasn’t the three nails that held Jesus to the cross—it was His boundless love for you and me. As the Son of God, Jesus could have summoned legions of angels (Matthew 26:53) or stepped down to end His suffering. Instead, He chose to endure the agony, shame, and weight of humanity’s sin out of a love so deep it surpassed any physical restraint.  

This love is defined in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus called us His friends and proved this ultimate love by dying to save us from sin. His command in John 13:34—“love one another, even as I have loved you”—is a call to mirror His selfless, sacrificial love. This extends even to our enemies, as He taught in Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus even loved those who crucified Him, praying for their forgiveness (Luke 23:34), showing us how to love with humility, forgiveness, and self-denial, even toward those who harm us.  

His death was no mere tragedy; it was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Isaiah 53:5 foretold, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him.” Jesus bore every sin—yours, mine, the world’s—taking the punishment we deserved so we could receive God’s grace. When He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He confirmed that the debt of sin was paid in full. His resurrection on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) defeated death, proving His power and securing eternal life for those who trust in Him.  

We are called to love one another because Jesus first loved us with a love that held Him on the cross, not out of obligation but out of divine choice. This love is the foundation of the Gospel, inviting us to turn from sin, believe in His sacrifice and resurrection, and surrender to Him (Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9). To love as Jesus loves is to reflect His grace, forgiveness, and selflessness in our actions—whether through kindness, reconciliation, or compassion toward others, including our enemies. His love compels us to live differently, to embody the same sacrificial love that changed the world. Will you trust in His love and follow His command to love one another today?