John 13:34-35 - 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
In John 13, after Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, he started explaining to them that he wasn’t going to be around much longer. For us reading today it is only a few pages until Jesus is arrested, put on trial, and eventually crucified. Jesus knew that this was the plan. He knew Judas would betray him, he knew Peter would deny him, and he knew that the disciples would need to take the leadership position in getting the cause of Christ to the world.
In this passage Jesus is laying out some pretty heavy news for the disciples. He is telling them that he is going somewhere that they cannot follow. This news devastates them. These disciples were prepared to follow Jesus for the rest of their lives, and now they are learning that they will need to do the hard work without him. And what does Jesus tell them is first and most important? It’s not how to spend the money. It’s not what political affiliation is correct. It’s not how to “own” the other side on social medio. He simply tells them to love one another.
In Jewish writing the importance of something is indicated through repetition. We see this in descriptions of the angels in heaven worshiping God by saying, “Holy, holy, holy.” God is not just holy, or even just holy, holy, God is holy, holy, holy! In this passage Jesus keeps telling them to love on another.
We have plenty of examples of the disciples missing the point and bickering with one another, and this was when Jesus was with physically them. What are they (or we) going to do when Jesus isn’t physically with us? We need to fall back to basics. Love is mentioned about 57 times in the Gospel of John. In chapter 14 Jesus says, “if you love me, keep my commandments.” And what is that commandment? Love one another.
Our increasingly divided world is easy to see. However, our increasingly divided church is where we can use our influence. Standing up for truth is important, but are you walking in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time? Is your speech always gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may show love to the people around you?
How can you help love come first?