What's Love Got to do with It?

I can almost hear Judas Iscariot ask that question when Jesus told His disciples: “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Judas seems to be the least loving disciple not merely because he was the one who betrayed Jesus, but also because of his harsh responses to acts of grace. When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive spikenard, Judas rebuked her. His question exposes his heart condition: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

It might seem Judas, who was in control of the group’s money pouch, had a tender heart toward those in need. But the next verses refute that idea by calling him a thief, painting him as a sort of embezzling biblical CFO. The incident also reveals Judas’ attitude toward his Master by implying Jesus was just another man, no one special. Why should He be the recipient of such extravagant love? It sounds like grumblesome, disgruntled Judas was filled with jealousy as well as greed.

For three years, Judas walked with Jesus. He saw the compassion in His eyes when He healed the sick and fed the multitudes. He witnessed the Son of God cry when His friend Lazarus died. And He saw Him weep over Jerusalem’s lack of repentance and absence of mercy. And Judas got angry. Many scholars believe Judas was one of the zealots, a sect of Jews who were trying to overthrow Roman rule. If so, his disillusionment with Jesus becomes clear. Judas was not looking for a kingdom filled with love where its Ruler taught forgiveness of cruel oppressors. He wanted the kingdom ushered in through violence. But violence never produces joy and hatred never brings about peace. Jesus said to love your enemies. He said that the greatest love is not destroying others for the sake of your country or your beliefs, but laying down your life in sacrifice for the sake of your friends.

Recently, my friend shared a story she heard on the radio; it was the testimony of a Muslim man who declared he had grown up in a culture of hate. When he left Islam, he became an atheist. Eventually, though, Christians won him over through their demonstrations of unconditional love. He said they did not try to badger him, debate him or condemn him. Instead they simply loved him. God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe and when we allow Him to fill us with His love, we can change the world.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)