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Pete Kersker - Mar 19, 2026

The Old Testament Law, starting with Moses, taught the Israelites to take care of those who were not in a position to take care of themselves (the poor, visiting foreigners, orphans and widows). They were told to make food available by leaving the "edges" of their fields for those in need.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35 NIV).

Jesus raised the bar a bit for his followers, teaching them that this help needs to be more active than passive. The parable of the good Samaritan, for example, had a man actively stopping to help the man who had been robbed, beaten, and left on the side of the road for dead. Jesus especially taught his disciples (students) to care for one another as brothers and sisters in God's family.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:17-18 NIV).

The word "love" in these passages are translated from one of four different Greek possibilities behind the scenes. This word has nothing to do with romance, parent-child, or sibling (brotherly) love. This word for love (ἀγάπη) describes a self-sacrificing, caring for the other person as much as yourself, kind of love. This love is not a feeling. It is a decision that is expressed through action. We love one another when we help those among us who are in need.

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50 NIV).

Did you know that Jesus teaches us to
love one another actively, rather than passively?

Did you know that our love for one another is shown through our actions?

Do you love your brothers and sisters (because of Jesus) 
by helping those among us who are in need?