November 10: John 13 34-35

Key Verse: John 13 34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Devotion:
What would be the last thing you would tell your children if you were about to die and they were with you? Jesus knew what was ahead and was trying to best prepare the disciples for the work ahead – this is like His dying wish. What He ask from them can be used as the cornerstone requirement for all of the other commandments which were given to the Israelites through Moses. To love one another, not just as fellow countrymen, but as a parent loves their children.

If they were willing to follow this last commandment, then they would truly be known as disciples of Jesus; not because that was a requirement, but because it would put them in right stead for the rest of the things they would do for Christ. If we are willing to love others without question, then we are worthy of being called disciples of Jesus too because we will be following the wishes of our Lord and Saviour.

What does this love involve? It means being willing to stay with each other, keep watch over each other, pray together, worship together, bear each other’s burdens willingly, building up each other especially in faith and holiness and doing this all with humbleness and without question. This love is not just a love you have for fellow countrymen but a love that works through the spirit and is done because of our love for Christ.

It can be hard and lonely as you start out to try and love those around you, but the more you are willing to show others love, the more they will see it, accept it and even grow with it. This love becomes a new goal in their lives and will help them to focus on Christ as they see this is what Christ has done for them – only much more so!

Points to Ponder:
Are you willing to love those around you?

Are you willing to take your love to people who need it most?