"A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that
you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if
you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35 NKJ)
On his way to
Calvary, Jesus paused to celebrate the Passover with his disciples. And after that meal, he got up from the table
and washed their feet, demonstrating his love by serving them in the most basic
service.
Then he sat down
again and shared his disappointment that one of them would betray him to the
Sanhedrin. And after the betrayer received "the sop" and left them,
Jesus began teaching on subjects he had not previously taught them.
"Love one
another as I have loved you," Jesus said. During the trip up to Jerusalem
for the Passover feast, James and John had asked for the two highest positions
in his Kingdom. And all of them had heatedly discussed who was the greatest
among them.
They were not in a
loving mood to say the least. It is not surprising that not one of them was
prepared to wash the feet of the rest of them. But love got up from the table,
wrapped a towel around his waist and knelt humbly before each of them.
The betrayer had sat
with them at the table, but love served him too. Love spoke kindly, graciously
to him. Love did not ostracize him. Love left him unidentified. Love urged him
to do his work quickly. "As I have loved you, so love one another,"
Jesus said.
I think this is the
commandment that I break the most often. I also think it is the most important
commandment that Jesus gave us. It isn't to merely love one another. He clearly
taught that every person, believer and unbeliever, loves someone. And it isn't
simply to love everyone. Rather, his disciples are to love each other like he has loved them. And that quality of mutual
love will advertise to the world that they are truly Christ's disciples.
Dear Father, thank
you for loving me more than my wildest dreams of love. Empower me to love other
Christians like you loved me. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
On a scale of 1-10,
what is your commitment level to love other Christians?
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