John 15:17 (NIV)
This is my command: Love each other.
November 9 and 10, 1913 did not bring any comforting
memories to Nellie Williams. In fact those two days would continue to haunt her
dreams, waking her up in a cold sweat with tears soaking her pillow. Her life
would never be the same …
Hurricane-force winds squealed across Lake Erie for the
duration of those two days, and the Light Vessel 82, captained by her beloved
husband, Hugh, was hit head on. Overwhelmed by the ferocity of the high winds
as well as the breaking waves, the crew realized that their fight for survival
was hopeless.
This wasn't the only vessel to fall prey to this brutal
storm. Over 250 people aboard a dozen ships lost their lives.
Storm wreckage began to wash ashore at the foot of
Michigan Avenue, in Buffalo, NY. Among the debris was a piece of wood from
Light Vessel 82. This piece of wood displayed a penciled message from Captain
Williams to his wife. Realizing he had but moments to live, his last thoughts
went to the one he loved so dearly. He wrote "Goodbye, Nellie, The ship is
breaking up fast. Williams."
If love like this was our only motivation, how different
this world would be. Did you know that Jesus gave us only one direct command in
the whole New Testament? "This is my command: Love each other." (John
15:17 NIV)
Strangely enough, love is the one thing we struggle with
the most! Marriages don't last, and any couple fortunate enough to have been
married past the twenty-year mark become an icon in our society. The question
they hear most often? "How did you do it?"
Undeterred Jesus repeated that same command three times
in His last conversation with his disciples.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I
have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that
you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)
Loving one another should be our only priority, not only
as a benefit for ourselves, but also to others who have not heard the great
news about what God has done for humanity. So many leave churches after just a
couple of visits, because of the utter indifference they find among its
members. Where love does not thrive, God's message is lost! In fact God's
message can only thrive where love reigns! All those who do not know real love
tell but a cheap imitation of the message!
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends." (John 15:12-13 NIV)
The love that Jesus urges us to experience is a deep
committed love, one where we gladly "lay down" our lives for our
friends. Now some of us may be starting to think: Do I have any real friends?
It's never too late to start having real friends. It's as
simple as starting to love others the way Jesus did! Pure love is only possible
when we get to know our Heavenly Father. Once we start this kind of
relationship with God, we'll have no choice but to love the way He does!
Dear Lord, we pray that we would love like You love. Help
us have Your love show through us so that we can lead others to You. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.
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