I give you a new commandment, to love one another.
John 13:34
At the dinner table, Satan had entered into the body of Judas Iscariot. Jesus asks Satan what he is doing at their feast, and as soon as Judas takes the bread, he is gone.
Jesus then said to his disciples, “I give you a new command, to love one another.” He tells them that if they do this, He will know that they are His disciples.
This commandment not only applied to Jesus’ disciples. It now applies to us Christians. Jesus will know that we are His followers if we love one another. Some of us, however, are unable to love one another, due to conflict, racism, etc. However, if we take time to realize that all Jesus wants is for us to love one another, then we can make simple changes to our lives and be one with Christ.
After Jesus has spoken to his disciples, he informs them that he will be leaving, and they cannot follow. Peter asks, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
We all know that next, Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows three times, he will deny Jesus. We all wonder, how could someone who loved Jesus so much, deny him? But, this passage made us think, are we any different than Peter? Haven’t we all been in a situation where our faith has been brought into question? Are we willing to lay down our lives for Jesus?
Will and Caroline Pickart
