³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 CSB)

Why is it sometimes easier to show love to others than to those who are closest to us?

Spending any time in a ministry capacity with others will bring you into conflict. We want to think that our brothers and sisters in ministry have the greatest capacity for love. But I do not find this to be universally true.

Jesus is talking to his disciples who, no doubt, after years together on the road probably got on each other’s nerves. Maybe some or all of them had issue with Judas which lead him to be a bit separate and was part of his betrayal. Maybe Paul was the alpha and when Jesus was not around took on a de-facto leader role.

No, sometimes we need to work harder to love those we are closest to because we see them with all their warts….and they see all of ours.

When we get close to others we see their flaws and ours are exposed. We then either show grace and mercy, and they do as well, or we find ourselves at odds.

This is one reason so many see the church as hypocritical. We preach love but do not show it to those closest to us.