“Love” can mean a lot of different things in today’s ever-changing culture. The ambiguity associated with this word can make it difficult to understand God’s love for us. If we say we “love” sleeping in, our favorite books, and our families, how are we supposed to know what kind of love God has for us? It’s so comforting to realize God’s love for us is above-and-beyond anything we can ever fathom (Eph. 3:17-19). Jesus poignantly reflects this love, revealing the elements of choice, action, service, and obedience inherent in Kingdom love. 

Our verses for today focus on how Jesus, at the point of His most brutal physical and emotional suffering on the cross, loved His mother by looking out for her and providing her with a place of protection. Jesus knew all things; He knew that He would rise from the dead and appear to His disciples and loved ones, and He could have waited and taken care of His mother then. But He chooses to intentionally love His mother and obey God’s command to honor her even when the word around Him has turned upside down. He does not give excuses but exhibits loving obedience to the Father. Love is a choice, and love involves obedience of God’s commands—even when it is inconvenient and involves sacrifice (see Phil. 2:1-5). 

Jesus’ love leads us to action. In Mark 10:21, when a rich man asks Jesus what he should do to “inherit eternal life” (10:17), Mark recalls that “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Jesus then follows this love with a call to action, telling the man to “sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (10:21b). Jesus sees the man and loves him, and then calls the man to follow Jesus in an act of obedient love. The love of Christ doesn’t just leave us where we are; it calls us to obediently follow Him, trusting His sovereignty and leadership. 

In addition to choice and action, the love of Jesus is marked by service. The passage that comes to mind for me is John 13, when our Messiah washes His disciples’ feet. However, Jesus serves and loves people throughout His ministry; just look in any of the Gospels to see beautiful and powerful examples of His service (Matt. 14:13-21, Matt. 19:14, Mark 10:35-45, Luke 22:27, John 13:1-17). 

This type of love stands in stark contrast to the superficial, self-focused love we see in today’s culture. This love is marked by obedience to the Father, and this obedience is manifested through choosing to love self-sacrificially, choosing to follow without all the answers, and choosing to serve others for the glory of God. Let’s praise God for His amazing love today and open our hearts to allow His Spirit to show that love through us (see 2 Cor. 9:6-15).