Recently I watched a movie called Tortured for Christ. This movie gives the testimony of a Romanian pastor, Pastor Wurmbrand, who was tortured for sharing the love of Christ with the invading Russian communists who took control of his country. For the Russians, there was no room for God in their communist society. Pastor Wurmbrand, as well as many other Romanian Christians, were horrifically tortured by the Russians for spreading the Gospel. In the face of persecution, Pastor Wurmbrand, and many others, found strength in the Word of God. This pastor lived out Jesus’ command to love each other (John 15:17) and he prayed for his torturers despite the extreme cruelty he endured at their hands. Pastor Wurmbrand allowed the love of Christ to shine through him no matter his circumstances, and as a result he was a beacon of light in the darkness. Jesus said that we are “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) and we need to let our light shine before men so that through us our Father in heaven will be glorified (Matthew 5:16). Our source of light is Jesus and by following Jesus’ command to love each other, we can give light to all.
In John 13:34 Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus is giving us one simple command to live out in our daily lives: love one another as He has loved us. In order to do this, we need to understand how Jesus loved us. In Romans 5:8 it says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus showed us His love by giving up His own life for us. We were dead in our sins, but through the love of Jesus and by His sacrifice, we have been made alive (Ephesians 2:1). What’s more, we did absolutely nothing to deserve what Jesus has given us. We didn’t earn it through our good behavior or through our right actions. It was given simply out of a sincere and indescribable love for us.
Jesus was the example of sacrificial love, putting our needs and our best interests ahead of His own. Jesus truly wanted us to have more; He wanted us to have eternal life, and this life starts with His love. In John 17:3 Jesus says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” We can know Jesus through His love and by sharing His love with each other. Pastor Wurmbrand knew Jesus through His love and risked his own welfare to bring this love to others. In doing so, he was caught and tortured. However, he was not overcome by evil, but he overcame evil with good (Romans 12:21) by praying for his torturers and becoming a strong witness for Jesus Christ.
We need to love one another as Jesus loved us: selflessly, compassionately, sincerely, patiently, and humbly. Our love for each other should not be conditional or superficial. We need to love people as they are, sin and all, because this is how Jesus loved us. Putting others above ourselves goes against our human nature and is something that we cannot do easily in our own strength. However, like Pastor Wurmbrand, when we have a true revelation of Jesus’ love our desire will be to put that love before all else and let it shine for all to see.
Take Action: Watch the movie Tortured For Christ or read the book. It will truly give you a fresh perspective on what it means to love each other. Pastor Wurmbrand prayed for his torturers and he did not blame them for their sin. It hurts my heart that so many Christians judge others by their sin and exclude others because of their sin. This is what the Pharisees did, but not Jesus, He loved everyone. It was His love that changed the lives of sinners and made them want to live for Him. We need to love each other as Jesus has loved us so that His love can be the factor that produces change in our lives. Ask God today to give you a revelation of His love and allow His love to influence all that you do.
Meditate on Scripture:
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV) – And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Luke 6:27-28 (NKJV) – “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
Further Study – Read Luke 23. This is Luke’s account of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. As you are reading about Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us, truly think about the words you are reading and allow them to penetrate your heart. What does this teach you about Jesus’ love? How can you apply this love to your life?