Love your neighbor... (Issue #6 11/29/2021)

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment than these.” — Mark 12:31

We are entering what is considered by many to be the most magical time of year — Christmas. This holiday inspires joy, love, and giving among Christians and non-Christians alike. We know giving is an action. Did you know love is also? We all like to think of love as a warm, fuzzy feeling. It is that, but it is also a choice and an action. No one models this love better than Jesus. Reading about how He loved those around him while He walked upon this Earth reminds me I have a long way to go when it comes to loving others well.

I’ve been reading the book of Mark. I like this book of the Bible, because Mark gets to the action right at the beginning. Every time I turn a page, Jesus is busy loving and helping people right where they are. He heals Simon’s Mother-in-Law and lots of other people who just showed up at the door (Mark 1:29-34). He heals the man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-45) and a paralyzed man (Mark 2:1-12). He eats with sinners at Levi’s house (Mark 2:13-17). He heals a man’s hand (Mark 3:1-5), heals a bleeding woman, brings a girl back to life (Mark 5:21-42), and so much more.

In the middle of all His loving, healing, and preaching, do you know what I don’t see him do? I don’t see him condemn or shame anyone. He could have. As a Rabbi, Jesus would have studied the Torah (the law as revealed to Moses). He could have used these laws to demean and humiliate those who came to Him, but He didn’t. He listened, healed, and fed. He didn’t worry about what anyone might think of Him for doing it. He simply loved anyway.

Do you ever wonder what He thinks about how we (the Church) love? How often do we hear horror stories of a non-Christian having an encounter with someone who claims to love Jesus, but feels the need to shame and condemn all while spouting scripture? This kind of emotional abuse is unfortunately all too prevalent. Instead of offering to babysit, someone decided to give a single mom a tongue lashing on how her child was conceived in sin. Instead of inviting that lonely neighbor over for a meal, someone makes sure he knows he voted for the wrong political party. Instead of seeing how exhausted the barista is, someone decides to yell at them over a $6 cup of coffee and leave no tip.

When I hear stories like this, my heart breaks. I relate to those who have endured this kind of mistreatment. I remember being a small child and being told by a pastor was going to Hell, because I froze on stage when asked to recite the books of the Bible in order for a crowd of people. I was an adult before I was able to separate the bad behavior of a flawed human being from the unconditional love offered to me by Jesus.

So I wonder…..what if we the Church loved without fanfare or an ulterior motive? What if we the Church didn’t use caring and generosity as a means to get people to convert? What if we simply loved and let Jesus be Jesus? I wonder what kind of miracles we would see in this world?

So here is the challenge I have given myself and what I offer to you also….

From now until the New Year, practice loving without partnering it with a scripture or an invitation to church. Help that single mom. Give a meal to that homeless person. Watch a movie with an elderly neighbor. Encourage a young person by paying for their GED or college application fee. Take someone who is completely different from you to lunch and actually get to know them. Hold open a door, give a word of encouragement, smile!

I have a sneaking suspicion choosing the action of love rather than focusing on the feeling of love will open the door for many unexpected miracles. After all, what would this season be with out some Christmas miracles?