See How They Love One Another

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Scripture: John 13:34-35

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. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Devotion:

            Here we have a new commandment given by Jesus to his disciples. It looks on the surface very much like an old commandment. Way back in Leviticus (18:19) we read “18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” So, what is it that makes this a new commandment?

            This is a new commandment is because Jesus is commanding his disciples (and that includes us) to love each other just as Jesus has loved us. In other words, we are to love one another to the point of being willing to die for the name of Christ and his church. We know that Jesus is really serious about this because in John chapter 15 he repeats himself only more emphatically. Here are verses 12 and 13: “12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

            Jesus is calling his followers to radical discipleship in these verses. And 10 of the 11 Apostles did in fact give their lives as martyrs. Only John managed live long enough to die a natural death but even he spent his last years in exile. So, let me ask you this: how many members of your church do you think would actually sacrifice their life for Jesus and his church? My guess is that in the average church in America not many of us would be willing to pay the ultimate price for our faith.

            We are used to a life of ease and prosperity that those in the 1st century did not know. However, I believe that the time is coming and may soon be upon us when we will no longer are able to practice our faith according to our conscience without suffering something for it. It may not cost us our lives, but it will cost us in reputation or social standing or other significant ways. The Bible tells us that we should rejoice in our sufferings because we have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. See Acts 5:41: “41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

            The world will be watching the American church to see how it responds to persecution. Will we pull together and show our love for Christ and each other? How we respond to the trial that may be coming upon us will test the depth of our commitment to the gospel and to each other. Let us pray that we will pass the test.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father we come to you this day anxious about what the future may hold for the church. Lord prepare us with courage to be willing to suffer for Christ’s sake in the days ahead. We pray for those in other lands who are now suffering for the name of Jesus give them endurance to run the race you have marked out for them. Jesus keep all your children faithful during this time. Amen.

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