Tuesday, December 6

John 13:34

Lisa Brown

John 13:34

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.

This commandment Jesus gave to the disciples seems like an easy commandment to keep. But was it? The love that Jesus showed for his disciples was boundless, even when He knew that He would be betrayed; yet He knew that their love for Him would show up in the way they treated others. For the disciples to show unconditional love for others would show that they were truly believers in Christ, and were following His example. I believe this commandment was not only for the disciples present at the time, but for all of us who are believers in Christ, and in His love for us. Jesus is not just saying to love one another, but to love one another “just as I have loved you.”  OK, now it doesn’t seem so easy.  Is it possible? To give unconditional, boundless love. What a great thing to aspire to, to work toward!

Dear Lord, please be with us, and help us to follow this commandment to love one another. Help us to treat each other with the kindness and respect that Jesus showed not only to His disciples, but to everyone he met. Help us, Lord, not to dwell on ourselves, but to think of others and their needs. Help us to love others, following in the example of Jesus. Amen.