My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:12-13)Friends, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:12-13)
Friends, I bring you greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I do not use the word "friend" loosely because I know that Jesus requires us to be friends. Of course, we have different types of friends and different levels of friendships. We have BFFs, casual friends, social friends, co-workers who we only see at the workplace, associates and intimate friends. Regardless of the type or level of friendships, we are called to consistently love others unconditionally, with the love of Christ, and require nothing in return.
It seems in the past few days, I have encountered many different friendships: a dog that was someone's best friend, which is not uncommon, but sad. Dogs are loyal creatures but everyone deserves to have a human being in the capacity of best friend, someone who would do anything to see you smile and who will love you no matter what. Someone else married their best friend. This is an awesome statement of being in the realm of God's greatness, being joined as one to someone you love, trust, respect, support-you all get the drift. I spent a day in the mountains with some friends just relaxing, being carefree, enjoying nature and being there for each other with unspoken words of "I'm glad you're okay."
This is all great, but Jesus tells us we have to take it a step further. Jesus says there is no greater love than for you to lay down your life for your friends. Thinking about these instructions from Jesus, I began to understand the Black Lives Matter movement even more. When I saw images of people laying down in the streets of North Carolina and others marching and protesting the unlawful and heinous shooting of yet another innocent black man, I realized that the "greater love" that Jesus is speaking of is being displayed by people who are willingly putting their lives on the line to protest not only the loss of life of their friends, but also any future fatal acts against their friends. Do they know them? That's not important. Do they love them? That is important.
The Black Lives Matter movement has the potential to unite us and not divide us. We have to show compassion, love and understanding for others. If we do not learn how to live together as friends, then Dr. M.L. King's declaration was true, "We will die together as fools." We must regain our peace while maintaining our security and be able to coexist with one another in love and harmony. It is time for us to become true friends in our neighborhoods, churches, jobs, and personal relationships, by putting it all on the line for the greatest love of all-the lives of our friends.
Love,
Rev. Tanya Pittman
Associate Pastor
