"John 13:18-38
Nothing is more of a hindrance to the message of Jesus than a lack of love between Christians. If our nations are to be changed, if people are going to turn back to following Jesus, we must start loving one another. This means loving Christians of different churches, denominations, traditions and different views to us.
It means loving one another in the local church. Disunity destroys. Love unites. Love attracts others to the person of Jesus. Loving God and loving one another in Jesus’ name must be our overall ambition above all others. That is the kind of love that can change the world.
The author of John’s Gospel knew the love of Jesus in a very special way. Of all the disciples he was the one closest to Jesus. He was the one who ‘was reclining next to him’ (v.23). Four times in this gospel, John describes himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’: here (v.23), at the cross (19:26), at the empty tomb (20:2) and with the risen Jesus (21:20).
Perhaps, because of this unique experience of Jesus’ love, his gospel and letters speak so much about love. He records that Jesus told his disciples, ‘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’ (13:34–35).
People fail to love for different reasons. Judas betrays Jesus in spite of being so close to him: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me’ (v.18). Satan entered into him (v.27). Here we see the very opposite of love. Yet Jesus continued to love Judas.
Peter loved Jesus. But he too failed. Peter said that he would lay down his life for Jesus (v.37), but Jesus tells him, ‘You will disown me three times’ (v.38). And that is what Peter did (18:15–18,25–27). Yet Jesus continued to love Peter.
Jesus sets before us this amazing challenge: ‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (13:34). Jesus loved us by laying down his life for us. He says that we are to follow his example and show self-sacrificial love for one another. This is the mark of a true Christian. ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (v.35).
Love is the most effective form of evangelism. When people see real love they see God. The best way to tell people about Jesus is to love them and to love other followers of Jesus.
Generally, in the world, people get into groups with people they are naturally attracted to and who think the same way as them. The followers of Jesus are meant to be quite different. The church of Jesus Christ brings us together with a variety of people from different backgrounds, of different interests, different ages, ethnicities, races, perspectives, opinions and different views: all who love one another.
This is one of the reasons I love gatherings, such as Alpha International Week. The week gathers people from over 100 countries and numerous different churches and denominations, representing every continent, race and ethnicity. One of the features of these biennial weeks is always the extraordinary love that breaks down every barrier and unites us all in our love for Jesus and our love for one another.
Lord, help us to love one another as you have loved us. May we see a new love between Christians of all churches, denominations and traditions in the local, national and global church. May the world be changed by our love."
1. Thank You for showing what love means. May I show this love to others.
2. Praise God for allowing me to see and feel the world of the deaf once more. Thank You for this calling.
3. Thank You for the series of events for today: English class, church, dinner and coffee with new friends, and meeting hyper kiddos.
