n John’s Gospel, just after he has washed the feet of his disciples and just after Judas has left to betray him, Jesus prepares those who remain for what will come next. In fact, he sets his expectations for them, saying, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

But wait, we wonder, didn’t Jesus already say this? What is so new about loving one another? Indeed, as told in Matthew 22:34-40, when asked by the Pharisees which is the greatest commandment, Jesus answers just this, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” He is drawing from the Hebrew Scriptures, so this love command goes way back. And still, what John is doing in his Gospel is shifting emphasis. Truly making this new. Jesus expects of his followers not only to love as they would wish to be loved, but to love as Jesus has loved.

This changes everything. In our worship this summer, we are exploring what this Christlike love looks like and what it asks of us as disciples who seek to follow faithfully in this world. We will move beyond sentimental notions of love to explore the demanding, transformative, and costly nature of loving “as Christ has loved us”- examining what this means for community life, public witness, and personal discipleship. We hope you will join us in person when you are in town and via our livestream while you are away!