READ

John 13:34-35: ³⁴ I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

EXAMINE

The commandment to “Love God” wasn’t new to those to whom Jesus was speaking. In fact, many of them knew and could recite the Old Testament passage in Deuteronomy that mandated to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. However, Jesus took this idea to a new level. To be a follower of Jesus, you can’t just “Love God”, but are called to “Love one another just as Jesus loved us.” It would now be the identity of a Christ follower: not rules, not knowledge, not even going to church on a regular basis.

APPLY

What does it mean to “Love one another just as Jesus loved us?” What are the characteristics that we see demonstrated in the love of Jesus? 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us what love looks like on display. Love is patient, kind, sacrificial, serving, and delights in generosity. Sometimes in our culture the idea of “love” is captured by feelings, romance, or physical attraction. While love may encompass some of those things, the reality is that God’s love for us is deeper than anything this world has to offer and our love for one another is to be defined by this same type of sacrificial love. What could you do today to love your spouse with a sacrificial love? How could you display a patient love with your children or grandchildren today? What would love look like to a neighbor today? A stranger in the store? Commit today that the greatest thing you could do to tell others about Jesus is to love them well!

PRAY

As you read over John 13 and 1 Corinthians 13 today, ask God to show you ways where you might need to grow in displaying love to others. Ask Him to highlight and celebrate areas where you usually do well loving others. Thank Him for His beautiful life and reminder of what love looks like and commit to loving others as He first loved us.