Loving When It Is Difficult

We can all admit there are things that are easy to love. It might be a puppy, a newborn baby, a favorite song, or a favorite memory of a family vacation. And we would also admit there are things in this life that are very difficult and feel impossible to love: mosquitoes, taxes, painful memories, or even a person who has hurt or wronged us in some way.

Both of today's Scripture passages remind us that Jesus did not only love the easy-to-love people. He also extended and demonstrated His perfect agape love toward those who were difficult to love, and even those who were openly hostile toward Him. Think about the moment Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. This was an act of humility and unconditional love. And whose feet did He wash? Peter, who would soon deny Him multiple times. And also Judas, who was already preparing to betray Him. And in that moment, Jesus knew all of this, and yet He kneeled before them anyway and loved them through service. Jesus didn’t skip over the ones He knew would wound Him. He didn't serve them begrudgingly. He loved them fully until the end.

Later, Jesus looked with compassion on the very crowd shouting, “Crucify Him!” His own people, those who rejected Him, yet His love did not falter or fade. And as Roman soldiers beat Him, mocked Him, spit on Him, and nailed Him to the cross, Jesus still looked at them with the same unshakable agape love that forgives even when it doesn't make sense. Jesus truly demonstrated what unconditional meant.

The challenge in all of this is that we, too, are called to love in this unconditional way. It’s easy to love those who love us back. But Jesus showed us what it means to love flawed, broken people…people like us. Scripture says that while we were still sinners, still rebels and enemies of God, Christ loved us and gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for us. He didn’t wait for us to apologize or clean ourselves up. His love moved first, and without hesitation. And now, He calls us to love in the same way.

So think about that and ask yourself today: who will I choose to love? Only those who seem deserving? Those who treat me well? Those who have earned it? Or will I love how Jesus loved? Will I extend that heart of agape to those who may not be my friend? Will I love, even when it is difficult?