By Josiah McDonald
Read
So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 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 13:31-35 (NKJV)
Reflect
Jesus points out to His disciples again that in a short time, He will die and be glorified in resurrection. While “adding” a new commandment, it is also a picture of what Christ being glorified truly means for us.
The 10 commandments are split between how we should act towards God and our fellow man. We are sinful and, because of sin, are separated from God. But here, Jesus shows us that we no longer have to be separated from God—the new commandment Jesus gives shows us the love God has for man. That after constant failures and sin, Jesus’s death and resurrection provide a way of salvation.
And how will others know that we follow Jesus? By being Christlike, loving each other the way Jesus loved us.
Apply
What is one mentality I have that prevents me from loving others the way Jesus loved?
Pray
God, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the suffering He endured on earth and on the cross. Thank you for defeating death so that we may spend eternity worshipping You. I ask that you bring into my mind ways that I am not loving others in a way glorifying to you. Change my heart in whatever way You see fit so I may live a life pleasing to You. A life that when others look at me they see You.
In Jesus’s holy name, we pray. Amen.
