Love doesn’t always look as we might expect it to. We often make it comparable to kindness or politeness, but in these mindsets we should never lose sight of love’s aggression, steadfastness and power. Jesus was the visible image of the invisible God, and so in his actions, we should be able to see love (1 John 4:8) in every story, action and word that Jesus spoke to the people of his day. At times this looked as we might expect love to appear, with tenderness and merciful actions. And love does look that way, many times. But in seeing love for its tenderness, remember that Jesus’ love showed of equal vibrancy as he cracked his whip and flipped tables in the synagogue for the justice that would come of it. Compassion never left him. Jesus embodied love in everything that he did.
Jesus was not passive. He was bold and steadfast, unshaken by chaos, darkness and all forms of evil. He had an incredible compassion for people and an unhindered aggression against the injustices that tormented those he so loved. Demons feared this man from Galilee; hypocrisy couldn’t stand to be near him because Jesus saw through every mask and called out the falsehood.
His war was not against people. Jesus came to crush the head of the enemy who bound us (Gen 3:15); and crush him, he did.
He saved us singlehandedly. While you were once identified as a slave to the evils of this world, Jesus re-identified you to the side of freedom, power and victory, so that you could live your created potential, no longer lost and blind by the distance of your mind to God. When you were once held captive and living as a victim to take every punch that your slave master could throw, Jesus stole the weapons of the enemy and empowered you to spend the rest of your life with the ball in your court – and he has established an aggressive offence.
Jesus put you on the side of eternal living, and in a war against Death that means you’ve already won!
Despite how powerful we have become in Christ, many Christians still live on defense. They are taught to fear the enemy and call it wisdom and humility. But wisdom is to live in the powerful grace we have been given and humility is to realize how incredible and favored you are BECAUSE of who you’re united with. I would never say this to condemn anyone, but to equip everyone to live in the power and authority that Christ called us to. We were not created to hide away and fearfully pray that darkness doesn’t find its way to us. We were called to dive headfirst against darkness, and if Jesus rightfully called us the ‘light of the world’, then darkness ought not to be there when we show up. Light will triumph over darkness every time.
I’m inspired by Jesus’ words to Peter at the end of John,
After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” and so he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep. I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don’t want to go,” (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, “Follow me!”
Peter turned around and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved… When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
Jesus answered him, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” (John 21:15-22)
Jesus knew of Nero’s soon-to-come reign, and the inexpressible persecutions that first century Christians would endure in those years. And even Peter, to some extent, knew this was coming (Matthew 24). But Jesus didn’t tell Peter to hide and wait out the hardship, he told him to lead. ‘Follow me,’ he urged Peter: an invitation to follow Jesus’ life so closely as to physically die for the Kingdom of God, as he had.
Peter hears this and freaks out; points to John, ‘What about him?’
But Jesus wouldn’t play comparison, ‘Follow me!’ Imagine the power and love behind Jesus’ eyes as he said this to his dear friend – literally calling him to give everything to the point of physical death. In a time when it would be understood and suggested that someone hide away and keep safe, Jesus told Peter to be so bold in his faith, that his life would end in radical martyrdom.
A martyr is the fullest expression of passionate commitment to a cause. To die for your belief suggests that you have left the safety of those that think or act as you do and have gone loudly and aggressively into the world of a counter belief or culture. No one is martyred by their own people. Historical records tell us that Peter was martyred in Nero’s reign, and we know from other writings (including the Bible), that Peter was a strong leader in the church before his death. He fulfilled the call Jesus gave him to live aggressively for the Kingdom of God. Peter’s radical love for God and people became his death.
We are called to be love. And love is not synonymous to merely being nice – you can be kind to someone you hate and firm and aggressive towards those that you most care for. So I invite you to love aggressively when life calls for it. Do not be passive. Know that the same Jesus that looked passionately into Peter’s eyes as he asked him to forsake everything for his Kingdom is the same Jesus that lives and reigns today.
Stand against injustices. Hold those that have been abandoned. Never fear the outcome of compassion’s expression, because love doesn’t know how to fear (it’s selfless). We are in full union to the Savior that overcame the whole world; it’s time to stand for goodness, life and freedom.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:13
Beautiful feet 