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?

The time has come for Jesus to leave this Earth and return to His Father in Heaven. In His final lesson for His disciples, Jesus washes their feet. Jesus demonstrates to His disciples the love He has for them. Jesus tells His disciples that they should do the things He has done for them, to others. Jesus gives them a new commandment to love one another the way He has loved them. By doing this, the whole world will know that they are Jesus’ disciples.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Does my love for others show the world that I am a Christ Follower?

Sure it’s easy to show love to others that are nice to me. But am I showing love to the unlovable the way Jesus did? Jesus showed loved to the sick and lame. He loved the social outcasts. When others shunned them out of society, Jesus welcomed them in with open arms. It didn’t matter if you were a leper, a prostitute, or even a tax collector, Jesus made time for you. Jesus loves and welcomes all! The question is does my love do the same? 🤔

“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 ‭5:47-48 NLT

‬ “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Life Application

Show Christ’s love to someone in need of it today.

It can be a homeless person, a neighbor you don’t really get along with or talk to, or a co-worker who kind of rubs you the wrong way. But these are the people Jesus calls us to minister to…the unlovable. So even though society tells us to avoid these people at all costs, Jesus tells us to love…unconditionally. So how about buying a meal, better yet sharing a meal with them. Or even something as small as starting a conversation with them. Ask and see how they are doing. Look for opportunities to pray for them and demonstrate Christ’s love for them in a tangible way for them to know Him. Let’s build bridges, not walls, so we can reach others and share Jesus’ story and love to a world who desperately needs Him.

-Moses Gaddi