By Elizabeth Haarberg

Love is Non-Negotiable

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In the story of Judas betraying Jesus in Matthew 27, Judas takes thirty pieces of silver in return for handing Jesus over to the leaders of the Jews. When Judas sees Jesus in captivity, he immediately regrets what he’s done and returns the money. The leaders are indifferent to Judas’ remorse and blow him off. He throws the silver down into the temple and hangs himself.

“But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.”
Matthew 27:6 English Standard Version

It struck me that the religious leaders in town did not react to Judas’ confession; in fact, they were nonchalant about the incident. Then they had a similar reaction when Judas hanged himself. The leaders were more concerned about what to do about the money than they were about how they may have played a part in Judas’ suicide.

The level of arrogance and lack of care the religious leaders had for someone in obvious pain is shocking. The agenda of the leaders and their power hungry oblivion caused them to miss the most important pieces that God had entrusted to them: the people.

Even if we are not operating to this level of dismissal, our actions for our neighbor, co-worker, and family really do matter.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34 English Standard Version

Jesus commanded that we love one another. It’s a non-negotiable. Love is the only option. But the only way we can truly love one another is by receiving the love of Christ.

When we receive Christ’s love, that is the only way we can freely love others.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado