John 13:21-38; 2 Chronicles 19; Psalm 78:38-55

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NKJV) 

Judas had left the group to begin the process that would lead to Jesus’s arrest, and Jesus taught the remaining disciples in earnest. After talking about being glorified, Jesus taught them the most important thing He had to teach: love one another. The mark of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is that they love each other. Those who follow Christ may not always agree, but we should always love each other. I’ve seen and heard other people putting limitations on that phrase, but Jesus didn’t. He didn’t say that all His followers, His disciples, would love the people who were like them, who had the right skin color, the right bank balance, or even the right behavior; He said that people would know that we’re His disciples if we love one another.

It’s a really simple, open book test, but I’m going to ask you a question: “Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?” OK, but what about that one? Or that one? Or that one? Some of my brothers in Christ ain’t too easy to love; some of my sisters in Christ drive me crazy. Jesus has a simple solution to those problems. We’re supposed to love them. The core belief that Christians need to have is a belief that Jesus died and rose again and that we gain forgiveness because Jesus paid our penalty onthe cross. There is no other hope; there is no other way. If you follow Christ also, I love you. If I forget to show you love, feel free to call me on it. At the same time, if you don’t follow Christ, I’ll probably still try to show you God’s love because I remember that God loved me even before I loved Him. Let’s learn to love each other and show the world the amazing power of God’s love.

Lord, teach me to love others the same way You do. When I slip up and don’t show You love, remind me of how much You love me so that I can remember to show it to others.