As I Have Loved You, So You Must Love One Another
Date: October 31, 2024
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
B - Bible Verse in NIV (John 13:34-35) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray Dear Father, thank You for showing us what perfect love looks like through Jesus. Help us to love others the way You have loved us. Make our love for one another so genuine and visible that it draws others to You. May we be known by our love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
E - Explore the History and meaning Jesus spoke these words to His disciples during the Last Supper, just before His crucifixion. He had just washed their feet, demonstrating humble service, and knew He was about to show them the ultimate act of love through His sacrifice. This wasn't just another command - it was to be the distinguishing mark of His followers.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
"New command" - Not just a suggestion but a mandate that brings fresh meaning
"As I have loved you" - Jesus' sacrificial love is our example
"Everyone will know" - Love is the identifying mark of true disciples
S - Summarize and Share (Radiant in Christ's Love theme) I find it fascinating that Jesus calls this a "new" command. The idea of loving others wasn't new - but the way Jesus tells us to love? That was revolutionary!
Think about it - Jesus had just finished washing His disciples' feet. He was hours away from going to the cross. When He says, "As I have loved you," He's talking about a love that serves humbly, that sacrifices willingly, that puts others first. This isn't just a warm fuzzy feeling - it's love in action!
And here's what really strikes me: Jesus says this is how people will know we're His disciples. Not by our Bible knowledge, not by how often we go to church, not even by how many prayers we say. They'll know us by our love for each other.
It's like Jesus is giving us a spiritual ID card, and on it, He doesn't put our name or photo - He puts love. When we love like Jesus, we become living, breathing billboards of His presence in our lives. Our love for one another becomes a light that draws others to Him.
But let's be honest - this kind of love isn't always easy, is it? Sometimes people are difficult. Sometimes we don't feel very loving. That's when we need to remember that this isn't about mustering up feelings of love - it's about choosing to love as Jesus loved us.
When we do this - when we love with Jesus' kind of love - we radiate His presence. It's like we become little mirrors, reflecting His love to everyone around us. And that love? It has the power to change lives, heal relationships, and draw people to Jesus.
So today, let's ask ourselves: How can we love like Jesus? Maybe it means serving someone who can't repay us. Maybe it means forgiving someone who hurt us. Maybe it's just showing patience when we'd rather not.
Remember, friends, when we love like Jesus, we're not just following a command - we're shining with His light, showing the world what His love looks like in action.
3 Bible Cross References:
1 John 4:19-21
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Romans 12:9-10
Question for the audience: What's one way you can show Christ's kind of love to someone today? Share your idea in the comments - your suggestion might inspire others to love more like Jesus!