John 13: By Our Love
Read: John 13, Psalm 13
Who: Who wrote this book? Who did they write it to? What was their reason for writing?
What: What does this passage say about God, me, and my relationship with Him?
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
In this chapter, the essence of what Jesus says is, “do what I do.” There is no greater example of how to love. Jesus, the teacher/master, washes his disciples’ feet. He serves them.
As he prepares to die for all mankind, he gives a new command: “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
God wants us to reflect his love.
Why: Why is this truth important?
The heart of God is love. It is important to reflect his heart.
How: How would my life/character/perspective be different if I truly believed this truth?
The world would have a completely different perspective of christians and the church if we all followed this command. Right now, the world doesn’t know we are his followers by his love. Right now the world knows Christians as those who condemn and hurt others in the name of Jesus. Not only that, but we are not staying married longer than those who don’t follow Jesus, and many churches have great internal strife.
If I, and each Christian, believed the truth of God’s love and focused on following his command, the world WOULD know we are his followers by our love.
Prayer:
God, thank you for your deep love for us. Thank you for giving up your life for me. Help me to serve others and show them love. Help me to show people who you are through my words and my actions. Please forgive me for the many times I have failed to be a reflection of your love.
Amen