Love One Another

Love One Another

John 13:33-35, NIV

My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Setting the Scene

Judas had gone into the night to further his betrayal. Jesus’ tone became tender, almost paternal. He called the remaining disciples “my children” (tekna), a form of parental endearment that John later used in his letters. He told them again that their remaining time together was short. Once he departed, neither the disciples nor the rest of the Jews would be able to find him because he would be going where they could not go—yet.

The shift from “you cannot come” to “a new command” includes a sense of “meanwhile,” as if Jesus were saying, “Realize that you can’t come with me, but you will still have each other, so here’s what I expect: Love one another.” Jesus repeated the phrase “love one another” two more times in quick succession. But the question naturally arises, what is new about loving one another? Is it not the universal sentiment expressed in families and circles of friends? Any individual in such a matrix of relationships would express his or her love in part by encouraging love among the others. This command can certainly be found in the Old Testament (see Exodus 20:12-17; Leviticus 19:18, 33-34; Deuteronomy 5:16-21; 22:1-4).

What is new is the standard: “as I have loved you.” Loving one another for the disciples and for us would no longer be left to intuition or guessing—we would have a supreme example to emulate, Jesus himself. As the indicator of discipleship, Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” That standard still stands.

Getting Personal

What do you find particularly challenging or difficult about loving other believers as Jesus has loved you?

How does Jesus’ example enable you to love in this way?

The temptation is always to define love by what we think we can easily do or what comes naturally. Genuine love means doing things we may not want to do. And Jesus’ standard comes with his promise to help us live up to his example.

Talking to God

Admit the extensive gap between Jesus’ standard for loving and your own ability to love others. Ask the Lord to fill you with his love and compassion for those around you, beginning with your immediate family members. Ask him to help you love as he has loved.