How to Obey the Impossible Command

How to Obey the Impossible Command "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12 Jesus does not hide the standard. He does not soften the command. He does not lower the bar to match our ability. He raises it to match His love. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." You may not know this about Jesus- He doesn't say, "Love as you prefer," or "Love as you feel able," or "Love as others deserve." He says, Love as I have loved you. This is the command. This is the standard. This is the measure. And the moment He says it, the truth becomes clear: We cannot love like this on our own. The disciples proved it. James and John wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54). They did not yet know His love. Peter promised loyalty and denied Him three times (Luke 22:61). He did not yet know His love. The disciples argued about who was greatest on the night He washed their feet (Luke 22:24). They did not yet know His love. Judas betrayed Him with a kiss after receiving bread from His hand (Luke 22:48). He did not know His love. And when the soldiers came, they all ran (Mark 14:50). They could not love as He loved. He washed their feet (John 13:5). He prayed for them (John 17:9). He protected them (John 17:12). He forgave them (Luke 23:34). He restored them (John 21:15-17). He loved them to the end (John 13:1). This is why the command comes after the Vine. After abiding. After remaining in His love. Because the love He commands is the love He supplies. The command is not a burden. It is an invitation. An invitation to receive His love. An invitation to remain in His love. An invitation to let His love become ours. How does Jesus command us to love? As He has loved us. And the only way to love like that is to live in the One who loves like that.