The Passage
John 13:31-35
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Word Work
Personalize the meaning. Respond as God speaks to you through the Scriptures. Ask: How could my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?
Word Thoughts:
The newness of the new commandment can be understood only in light of the finished work of Jesus. God has always called his people to a life of neighbor love (Lev. 19:18), reaffirmed by Jesus as the second great commandment (Matt. 22:36–40). But the new commandment presupposes a new paradigm. The greatness of Jesus’ love for us is now the motivation for our loving others. If we love Jesus truly and deeply, we will love what and whom he loves—the unlovely, the oppressed, those very different from us, and those whose actions have damaged us.
This confirming sign of our discipleship is not a badge of our commitment to Jesus; it is rather the beauty of Jesus’ commitment to us. Discipleship is not a program for which we sign up; it is a whole new way of life for which we have been raised up. (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- Jesus leaves His disciples a commandment to love one another. Why is that so important?
- Do you find it easy to love other Christians?
- Why is it that by loving each other people will know that we are the disciples of Christ?
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
End in Prayer
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