John 13
Scripture
John 13: 34-35
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus knows that his time in the world was soon coming to an end, and that he would be retuning to his Father in Heaven. So Jesus spends his last night with his disciples, eating with them, and washing their feet. Jesus was demonstrating to the very end the love he has for them. And now before he leaves them, Jesus instructs them with one final command, to love each other the way he has loved them.
Understanding-What does it mean?
If we as Christ Followers are called to love the way Jesus did, we must love blindly and unconditionally.
As I read this chapter, I am in awe of how loving Jesus is. Jesus knew who He was, where He came from, and where He was going. Still, Jesus had no sense of entitlement about Him. He served humbly all those in need, and willingly laid down His life for all. Jesus especially demonstrated this love the night He washed His disciples feet. I mean here was God in the flesh, and here He was in a lowly servant's position washing His disciples feet. Not only that, but Jesus was still willing to wash the feet of Judas...the one who was going to betray Him! He shared an intimate dinner with Judas, and He washed his feet. He showed the same love to Judas, as He showed to the rest of His disciples. Now that is what I call a blind and unconditional love! How many of us can do that?
“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”-1 John 4:8 NLT
Life Application
“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:46-48 NLT
I try to remind myself of this verse every time I find myself heading down the path of anger and revenge towards the "unloveable". I'm not going to lie, but it is something I struggle with. I tend to lean towards cursing my enemy instead of blessing them. It's something I know God is trying to work in and through me as we speak. Doing today's Soul Journal is a great reminder for me that I am far from perfect, and that I need to abide with the Holy Spirit in order to overcome this fault of mine.